Rafael Nadal looked back to his old self on Sunday, defeating Juan Martin del Potro in three sets for his third title of the season after returning from a knee injury.
According to the Associated Press, Nadal won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and is now 17-1 since making his comeback from a knee injury. He was out seven months following a loss at Wimbledon and has appeared to regain his past form. Nadal has won 14 matches in a row and taken two clay titles. The hard-court win was his first since October of 2010/
"Seriously, it's impossible to have better comeback, no?" he said, smiling. "Happy for everything."
Nadal last his past six hard court finals.
"That's makes emotional week for me," he said. "Very important victory for me, winning against the best players of the world on a surface that is good for them."
It was the 600th career win for him and he took the title after defeating roger Federer in the quarterfinals and Tomas Berdych in the semifinals. It was the 22nd ATP Tour Masters win for him and he won $1 million after taking his third Indian Wells championship.
"When you have one comeback like I'm having you remember all the low things, lower moments that you had during this seven months, doubts and all these things," he said. "The doubt when and where you will be able to be back on a tennis tournament is hard."
Nadal also announced he is pulling out of the Sony Open starting Monday in Key Biscayne to help rest his knee after the hard court matches. He is preparing for the French Open and wants to keep the strain off the knee.
"I'm very sorry for the organization of the tournament and I'm very sorry for the fans, but we never thought we'd be able to play all matches possible since I came back," Nadal said after defeating Juan Martin del Potro in three sets.
