(Reuters) – Roger Federer has not won a grand slam crown since the 2010 Australian Open but his scintillating form over the past nine months suggests he will be back in the elite winners circle very soon. The Swiss maestro overcame big-serving American John Isner 7-6 6-3 in the final of the Indian Wells tournament on Sunday, his sixth ATP World Tour title in his last eight tournaments.
Federer fended off a flu bug in the early stages of the event before going on to beat former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro, 10-times grand slam winner Rafa Nadal and then Isner in straight sets.
Since his gripping 7-6 6-4 3-6 2-6 5-7 semi-final defeat by Novak Djokovic at last years U.S. Open, the Swiss has won 39 of his 41 matches, sparking talk he may be back to his very best.
“I think I have been playing extremely well since the (2011) French Open,” 16-times grand slam champion Federer told reporters after winning his third consecutive title on the men’s circuit.
“But people aren’t giving me enough credit sometimes for how great that tournament was because I didn’t win it.
