Roger Federer will head to Miami in a positive frame of mind despite seeing his 11-match winning streak ended by Novak Djokovic in the Indian Wells final.
Federer had beaten his rival two weeks earlier on his way to the title in Dubai and had hoped to repeat the double he managed the last time he won back-to-back tournaments in 2012.
Although it was not to be, Federer was happy he had managed to maintain his form at such a high level, putting his struggles of last season even further behind him.
The 32-year-old said: “I’m very happy. I think I’m playing really good tennis. I’m moving well, serving well – consistently well. So many things are working.
“I’m surprised that I’m able to keep it up week after week now. I expected myself to have a breakthrough tournament, but then maybe a couple of early exits. Who knows, maybe that’s still to come.
“But overall I’m just happy I’m playing consistent tennis and I’m going deep in tournaments and I’m giving myself chances to win.
“Clearly it would have been amazing to win here and win back-to-back tournaments with Dubai. But I got very, very close, so it’s encouraging for Miami and for the rest of the season, no doubt.”
His run in the Californian desert lifted him to fifth in the rankings, from eighth, and he now has world No4 David Ferrer in his sights.
