TENNIS : ROGER FEDERER MISSES 3 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS ON SERVE; LOSES TITLE TO JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO IN EPIC FINALS THRILLER AT INDIAN WELLS !

TENNIS : ROGER FEDERER MISSES 3 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS ON SERVE; LOSES TITLE TO JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO IN EPIC FINALS THRILLER AT INDIAN WELLS !

Roger Federer @RogerFederer is human, after all.

His incredible record winning streak of 2018 has been broken by Juan Martin del Potro @DelPotroJuan in a nail-biting epic Championship Finals thriller, at Indian Wells.

Juan Martin del Potro - - who also dramatically beat Roger Federer in the US Open Championship Finals in 2009 - - is one of only 3 men, alongside with Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, to have beaten The Great Federer in a Grand Slam Finals , since his rise to greatness.

The Indian Wells Masters, or the BNP Paribas Open, is an annual ATP Masters 1000 event held in Indian Wells, California where Roger Federer is the Defending Champion gunning for his 6th Title, having already won the tournament, five times.

In Sunday's epic Finals, Del Potro faced two nerve-wracking Championship points against Federer's deadly serve - - fearlessly saved both, then faced another - - but didn't flinch a single bit, proved to all and sundry that he is a dangerous player who could beat any top player in the world, on a good day.

After almost 3 hours of intense battle in front of a capacity electric crowd, Del Potro prevailed over the Swiss Wizard, 6-4; 6-7; 7-6, ending the Championship Match in a spectacular Tie-Break.

"Stop what you're doing!", exclaimed ATP's Tennis TV @TennisTV amidst the high suspense drama during the battle between the two warriors - - both being uncharacteristically emotional, at times, in the intense heat of the match.

"What a battle today", later tweeted Roger Federer, as he congratulated Del Potro for his dramatic win - - his first ATP Masters 1000 win in his career - - which Del Potro himself described, "Una final inolvidable" (An unforgettable final)".

Indeed.

A first Masters 1000 trophy 🏆 . Congratulations @delpotrojuan 👏🇦🇷 . #tennis #tennistv #sport #instasport #bnppo18 #bnpparibasopen #indianwells #atp #atpworldtour
A post shared by Tennis TV (@tennistv) on Mar 18, 2018 at 3:54pm PDT

Juan Martin Del Potro ends Roger Federer’s perfect 2018.#BNPP018 champion winning 6-4 6-7 7-6

Incredibly, his FIRST Masters 1000 title. pic.twitter.com/AsXYX9zgQA
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) March 18, 2018

The moment @delpotrojuan became the first 🇦🇷 to win @bnpparibasopen 🙌 . #tennis #tennistv #sport #instasport #bnpparibasopen #indianwells #champion #delpotro #celebration #atp #atpworldtour #matchpoint
A post shared by Tennis TV (@tennistv) on Mar 18, 2018 at 4:12pm PDT

Together at last 🌴🌸
A post shared by atpworldtour (@atpworldtour) on Mar 18, 2018 at 4:59pm PDT

"I think staying positive through the tough moments is really key. Because you're always going to go through ups and downs in your career, or as a person for that matter. Not every day is sun-shining. People like to see the easy part, how I make it look easy. It's not always like that.” 💬 @rogerfederer
A post shared by atpworldtour (@atpworldtour) on Mar 18, 2018 at 5:26pm PDT

Admit it: who else held their breath for a second? 😨 . Magic recovery from Federer, merciless finish from Del Potro. What a point. What a @bnpparibasopen final . #tennis #tennistv #atpworldtour #bnppo18 #federer #rogerfederer #delpo #delpotro #instasport #instagood
A post shared by Tennis TV (@tennistv) on Mar 18, 2018 at 6:51pm PDT

It’s been some journey for @delpotrojuan to this moment: lifting his first @atpworldtour Masters 1000 trophy 🙌 . What a way to sign off from @bnpparibasopen 2018. Up next: @miamiopen ✈️ . #tennis #tennistv #atpworldtour #bnppo18 #delpo #delpotro #instagood #champion
A post shared by Tennis TV (@tennistv) on Mar 18, 2018 at 7:26pm PDT

Juan Martin del Potro ended world number one Roger Federer's 17-match unbeaten run to claim the BNP Paribas Open title at Indian Wells.https://t.co/2mia5Vq7GM pic.twitter.com/CKYh79I8Sp
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 18, 2018

The drama was - seemingly - never-ending in the men's final on Sunday. And then? Juan Martin del Potro emerged the winner. But how'd he do it?

📝 https://t.co/uzsdCK68RG #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/Rmv8uvL52e
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 18, 2018

What a moment!

Simply the best, Juan Martín del Potro! 🙌
Posted by Tennis TV on Sunday, 18 March 2018

Join us as Juan Martin Del Potro is crowned BNP Paribas Open 2018 champion - his first ATP Masters 1000 title! 💪🏆🎾
Posted by Tennis TV on Sunday, 18 March 2018

Stunning, incredible, spectacular! 😳

Tennis of the highest order from Federer & Del Potro 👏
Posted by Tennis TV on Sunday, 18 March 2018

As expected, this final is already 😍

More, please!
Posted by Tennis TV on Sunday, 18 March 2018

Masterful at Long Last

Juan Martin del Potro takes home his first ATP Masters 1000 title with 6-4 6-7(8) 7-6(2) win over world No. 1 and defending champion Roger Federer.#BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/y1MShDTTgJ
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 18, 2018

STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING!@rogerfederer & @delpotrojuan, that is just spectacular! 😍👏 👏#BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/dOYMBEBhpl
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 18, 2018

🇨🇭 From one legend to another 🇦🇷@rogerfederer @delpotrojuan #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/KYNfqwDHsv
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 18, 2018

What a battle today. Congrats on a fantastic tournament and match, @delpotrojuan pic.twitter.com/bqf4LyL1B8
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) March 19, 2018

An unforgettable final. Thank you. - - - JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO @DelPotroJuan.

Una final inolvidable. Gracias 🙌🎉🏆 pic.twitter.com/FAYehxbAsI
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) March 19, 2018

Masterful at Long Last Juan Martin del Potro takes home his first ATP Masters 1000 title with three set win over defending champion Roger Federer. #BNPPO18
A post shared by BNP Paribas Open (@bnpparibasopen) on Mar 18, 2018 at 4:06pm PDT

Juan Martín del Potro defeats Roger Federer at Indian Wells. It's del Potro's 9th career match win against the world's top-ranked player, the most by any man that has never been ranked No. 1. pic.twitter.com/0CU16GZoWX
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 18, 2018

"It's a bit disappointing but that's how it goes," Federer says in press. "But well done to him. I lost my serve a little bit (in the tiebreak) and he was clean."

"Standing at the trophy ceremony I wish I could've played that tiebreak again." #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/yQmVGogPPi
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 18, 2018

"I cannot believe that I'm here with this trophy. I was really hungry (for the win) after the second set," del Potro says on court. "Finally I got this trophy." #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/8mhKHBkxrg
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 18, 2018

Soak it in, Delpo #BNPPO18

🎥 @TennisTV pic.twitter.com/XdpZy2FZqj
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 18, 2018

Juan Martin del Potro battles from a break down in the third set to beat Roger Federer in the #BNPParibasOpen final. The big Argentine won 6-4, 6-7 (8), 7-6 (2). This is the first time he has ever won a Masters 1000 event! #IndianWells pic.twitter.com/kVI0E6i0dA
— TENNIS.com (@Tennis) March 18, 2018

First Masters 1000 title for Delpo!

Juan Martin del Potro beats No. 1 Roger Federer 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(2) to win the 2018 BNP Paribas Open title at Indian Wells.
— SI Tennis (@SI_Tennis) March 18, 2018

Juan Martin #delPotro wins the Indian Wells title!

WHAT. A. MATCH.@delpotrojuan come through a titanic tussle with Roger #Federer to win 4-6 7-6 7-6.

His first Masters 1000 title!#Federer's winning streak is over; #delPotro, a worthy champion! pic.twitter.com/am3xs8WXka
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) March 18, 2018

No.6 seed @DelPotroJuan wins his 1st ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event on his 52nd attempt, def. World No.1 Roger #Federer, 64 67(8) 76(2) to win @BNPPARIBASOPEN. Federer saved 1 match point in the second set tiebreak; Del Potro saved 3 match points at 5-4 in 3rd set.
— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) March 18, 2018

Game, set & match! @delpotrojuan produces a scintillating finish and beats World No. 1 @rogerfederer to his first #IndianWells and #ATPMasters1000 title 👏 pic.twitter.com/UI7tKOCGU5
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 18, 2018

🏆 Juan Martin #DelPotro triumphs in Indian Wells! 🏆

The Tower of Tandil wins his 1st Masters 1000 title ending Roger #Federer's invincibility 6-4 7-6 7-6. GIGANTIC! #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/J3ACUnALqm
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) March 18, 2018

Juan Martin del Potro is the first person to beat Roger Federer in 2018. It wasn't easy. https://t.co/CY2cJHGvPv
— NYT Sports (@NYTSports) March 19, 2018

Roger Federer's unbeaten run in 2018 comes to a end in a thriller at Indian Wells https://t.co/4z568pFToO pic.twitter.com/EDHmgc19mk
— Independent Sport (@IndoSport) March 19, 2018

.@delpotrojuan breaks @rogerfederer back! Extraordinary scenes at the #IndianWells men's final. pic.twitter.com/JjS0H5V4UU
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 18, 2018

Picture Perfect

📷: https://t.co/zVbcTe02Sv #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/PqxNaWUASY
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 19, 2018

Sunday's champs with their hard-earned hardware@delpotrojuan 🏆@Naomi_Osaka_ 🏆#BNPPO18 #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/RSPrGfAoD2
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 19, 2018

Roger Federer: Juan Martin del Potro gives passionate speech after Indian Wells win https://t.co/r3RfsSi4US
— Express Sport (@DExpress_Sport) March 18, 2018

Juan Martin del Potro makes huge admission after Roger Federer win https://t.co/QUOeJv52YE
— Express Sport (@DExpress_Sport) March 19, 2018

Updated: Juan Martin del Potro, who once considered retirement, defeats Roger Federer in epic Indian Wells final. https://t.co/L4i9sWtrg1 pic.twitter.com/hIe9R4agPL
— The Desert Sun (@MyDesert) March 19, 2018