Roger Federer Claims Men's Title at Indian Wells

Roger Federer defeats John Isner in the BNP Paribas Open final, taking home $1 million.  Isner, as runner up, receives $500,000 and a spot in the top ten ranking.

Heres's our chronology of the day as it happened; it reads best from bottom to top:

2:55 p.m: No rest for the weary as Isner will get a short break before returning to Stadium Court for the mens's doubles final at 3:20 p.m. Isner and partner Sam Querrey take on Spain's Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal.

2:49 p.m.: Federer: "It's been an absolute pleasure to have played here this week, even with the illnesses to many players. Good luck to Johnny (Isner), I know you'll keep it up."

2:45 p.m.: With the win, Federer is now 19-12 in Masters Finals (and also $1  million richer), Isner had never made it to a Masters level finals, but today's appearance guarantees him a spot in the world top ten for the first time in his career.

2:42 p.m.: Roger Federer looked masterful today, not having his powerful serve broken.  The first set could have gone either way, it was simply a question of who stung together two points first. The breaking point was when Federer broke Isner's serve to go up 4-3 in the second set. That looked to break Isner's morale and Federer pulled away from there. 

2:37 p.m.: Federer wins the BNP Paribas Open, defeating John Isner 7-6, 6-3.

2:37 p.m.: Isner twice fires forehands into the net. Match Point coming.

2:35 p.m.: Federer continues to look strong, and Isner may be becoming unravelled. Federer now up 5-3.

2:32 p.m.: During a break in play, many of the crowd started waving American flags, in support of Isner. Not a Swiss flag to be seen.

2:30 p.m.: Federer finally breaks serve, and possibly and momentum Isner had going. R-Fed made two superb passing shots to go up 4 games to 3, and now with serve.

2:28 p.m.:  Federer shows his triple digit sevice speed, opening with three aces before evening the second set at 3-3.

2:27 p.m.: Isner is at it again.. another monster service ace on game point.  Isner up 3-2 in the second set and looking to get even.

2:25 p.m.: The sun has disappeared behind the now scattered clouds. No shadows on the court.

2:22 p.m.: Server holds as it has all day, with Federer pulling the second set even at 2-all.   Someone has to give eventually.

2:19 p.m.: Isner grabs the third game despite being outplayed by Federer; 2-1 Isner.

2:15 p.m.: Federer responds right back by blanking Isner, who looked to have lose his confidence in that game. 2nd set now even at 1-1.

2:14 p.m.: Isner's stong serves takes the first game up the second set.  1-0 Isner.

2:12 p.m.: Isner defeated Federer last month in last time they met, but that was on clay in a Davis Cup match.  Second set about to get going.

END OF FIRST SET

2:10 p.m.: the long tiebreak goes to Federer 8-6, letting ther world #3 claim the first set -- 7 games to 6.

2:07 p.m.: Up 4-3 in the tiebreaker, Federer commits a double fault and opens the door for Isner.   Isner fights off one set point, to get to 6-6 in the tiebreak.

1:59 p.m.: Of course, as soon as I mention that no one had broken the serve, Federer jumps out 0-30.  Isner brings it back to Deuce, where Federer makes three AD points.  Once Isner gets the AD, he fires a 128 mph ace.  6-6 with tie break coming.

1:52 p.m.: Federer fires a forehand passing shot that leaves Isner flat-footed.  FedEx takes the 6-5 lead, but many are thinking there's a tie break in the works, as no one has broken serve.

1:48 p.m.: Isner rips a clean forehand winner and follows with a 120 mph ace serve to go up 40-love, and evens the set at 5 each.

1:46 p.m.: Federer brings a off speed (only 89 mph) serve at 30-love to ace Isner.  Federer moves on to the 5-4 lead.

1:44 p.m.: Serves holds for the American as Isner evens the opening set at 4-all.

1:42 p.m.: Isner looks up at a patch of blue sky overhead ... the sun is actually shining on Stadium Court.  Let's hope it stays that way.

1:41 p.m.: Federer answers right back, not allowing a point in the win. Federer now leading 4-3.

1:38 p.m.: John Isner powers his way to a sixth game win. All even at 3-games each in the opening set.

1:36 p.m.: Both players are back on the court, to scattered applause.  Officially a 10 minute delay.

1:33 p.m.:  Ball kids are attmepting to towel dry the painted lines, to avoid slickness where the players step.  Both Isner and Federer are sitting  courtside with towels on their legs.   Looks like play may resume very shortly.

1:27 p.m.: Slight rain delay. Chair Umpire halts play on the court, while umbrellas are coming out in the stands.

1:25 p.m.: Federer holds serve to move into a 3-2 lead.

1:23 p.m.: Beginning to drizzle at Indian Wells. All hopes it stops very quickly.  No interruption of play.

1:20 p.m.:  Isner keeps handcuffing Federer, who sends three backhand shots into the net.  Isner evens the set at 2 games each.

1:14 p.m.:  Federer keeps the blazing serve and trades ad points with Isner before a Federer forehand puts the Swiss star up 2-1.

1:11 p.m.: Isner evens the match at 1 game each, drawing cheers from the pro-American crowd.

1:08 p.m.:  Federer fires an 118 mph ace to take the first game in less then 2 minutes.   1-0 R-Fed.