CAMELOT FANTASIES

That about sums it up general as I said in my full wrap up in the Indian Wells thread.  A very even match overall.  Could have gone either way, but as you said a poor tiebreaker effort by Federer with 3 or 4 unforced errors on his serve.   He didn't deserve to win with that stuff. 

But it was still a good tournament for him, and he moves up to #5.  I'm not sure he'll play in Miami.  He skipped it last year.  He could play a couple of matches get the points he needs to pass Ferrer for 4th position, but I don't think he'll decide to play for that.  He'll probably judge how his body feels and whether it's worth making the effort, or if he should just start his training block early prior to starting on the clay in Madrid.

Novak has to have some confidence back, and looks good for Miami where the conditions are also slow, probably slower, since the air is much more humid than in the desert.   His biggest concern has to be his failure to serve out matches recently.  He was fortunate it didn't cost him this tournament, as it happened more than once.

Respectfully,
masterclass