2015 INDIAN WELLS: Djokovic and Halep Win 3-Set Thrillers

Simona Halep and Novak Djokovic are the 2015 BNP Paribas Open champions. Djokovic, as I predicted, defeated Roger Federer in an exciting 6-3 6-7(5) 6-2 match (that was much closer than the score indicates). Halep defeated Jelena Jankovic 2-6 7-5 6-4 in a drama and error-filled encounter that featured 18(!) breaks of serve between the two players.

It's Djokovic's 21st ATP Masters Shield title, just 2 behind Federer and 5 behind Nadal on the all-time leaders list and 50th ATP career title overall. He is now 18-20 in his career head-to-head with Federer and ties him with 4 titles at the Indian Wells tennis garden, becoming the first player since Federer did it twice (from 2004-2006) to defend this title.

It was Halep's first Premier Mandatory title, and her 11th career WTA title overall.