Djokovic defeats Federer for title

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2 to win his fourth BNP Paribas Open on Sunday, tying him with Federer for the most titles in the desert after winning for the second straight year.

The world’s top two men’s tennis players met for the 38th time. Federer leads the series 20-18 and had won three of their last four meetings going into the final.

But Federer made too many mistakes at crucial times, piling up 43 unforced errors to 35 for Djokovic. The Serb connected on 63 percent of his first serves, while Federer’s serve let him down. He double-faulted to trail 4-2 in the third. Djokovic won the last four games.

Halep rallies to win

Simona Halep beat Jelena Jankovic 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 to win the women’s title, giving the Romanian the biggest title of her career and a WTA Tour-leading third victory of the year.

Halep improved to 6-0 in three-set matches this year, smacking a crosscourt forehand winner off Jankovic’s weak volley return on match point. The world’s third-ranked player advanced to the final after Serena Williams withdrew before their semifinal.