Indian Wells - Roger Federer said he has "totally exceeded his expectations" after winning the Indian Wells Masters final with a straight-sets victory over Swiss countryman Stan Wawrinka on Sunday.
The 35-year-old defeated his 31-year-old opponent 6-4, 7-5 to claim a career 90th singles title and a fifth at Indian Wells.
This is a remarkable turnaround for the 18-time Grand Slam winner, who returned from a six-month injury layoff to win January's Australian Open and in winning Sunday's final the Swiss never dropped a set all tournament and now climbs four places in the ATP rankings to sixth spot.
He also becomes the tournament's oldest winner after passing Jimmy Connors who was 31 when he won in 1984.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Federer said he was hoping to be ranked eighth by the time Wimbledon was due to start on July 3.
"I have totally exceeded my expectations. My goal was to be top eight by Wimbledon. This is just a dream start," Federer said.
"I understand the talk about (me getting back to) world number one with Andy (Murray) and Novak (Djokovic) not playing well and I'll try to back it up. But this is my 90th (tour-level) title so I'll try to enjoy this first.
"I was very sad when I couldn’t come here last year so just being here is a beautiful feeling.
"It's been just a fairytale week. I'm still on the comeback. I hope my body is going to allow me to keep on playing.
"I came here for the first time 17 years ago so to be here again as the champion is an amazing feeling. And I can’t tell you enough what it means to me."
ATP rankings released on Monday:
1. Andy Murray (GBR) 12 005 points
2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 8 915
3. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 5 705
4. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4 730
5. Milos Raonic (CAN) 4 480
6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4 305
7. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 4 145
8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3 465
9. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3 420
10. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 3 310
11. Gael Monfils (FRA) 3 190
12. David Goffin (BEL) 2 975
13. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 2 960
14. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 2 790
15. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 2 456
16. Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 2 425
17. Jack Sock (USA) 2 375
18. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 2 190
19. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 2 025
20. Alexander Zverev (GER) 1 850
Other:
74. Kevin Anderson (South Africa) - 705