Indian Wells: Federer to face Del Potro in quarters

Indian Wells (California) -  Sixteen-times Grand Slam winner Roger Federer of Switzerland came back from a set down to beat Thomaz Bellucci in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open here. Federer will play Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro in the quarterfinals.

Federer found himself down a set for the second straight match Wednesday, but rallied for a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.

The Swiss player secured his 73rd straight win against opponents ranked outside the top 20 in the ATP rankings as he took an hour and 41 minutes to dispose of his Brazilian opponent.

"I really struggled to make the transition (from yesterday's match). I was quite surprised, but at the end I found a way, dug deep and came through," Federer was quoted as saying by the ATP website.

"It's really important. At the end of the day, these are the wins that sort of almost feel better, to be quite honest, because when you're playing great, it's simple, and it's easy."

Federer is looking to win his first title at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden since lifting his third consecutive trophy in 2006. Federer has won 12 matches in a row, picking up titles in Rotterdam and Dubai.

In the quarterfinals, Federer will square off against ninth seeded Del Potro. The Argentine battled past Denis Istomin 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-2 in two hours and 45 minutes to return to the final eight for the second straight year.