Ageless, stunning and defying, are just some of the words which come to mind when you look at Roger Federer’s start to 2017.

After amazingly winning his 18th major in January at the Australian Open, the Swiss Maestro followed up on Sunday by lifting his fifth title in Indian Wells to make it two triumphs in three tournaments so far, this year.

Such an incredible feat seemed a long way off last season, when he took six months out after Wimbledon, citing a back injury for his withdrawal from the tour. With a surging Andy Murray and an invincible Novak Djokovic at the time ruling the roost, the possibility of a crocked Federer significantly adding to his greatness seemed virtually impossible.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Federer to Sky Sports. “I was surprised when it was all over. You could see it at the net. All of a sudden, I’ve won Indian Wells and I’m the champion here. It’s a beautiful feeling.”

“It’s unbelievably surprising that I was able to back up the win in Australia, here in America. I couldn’t be more happy.”

“I’ve totally exceeded my expectations. My target was to be in the top eight after Wimbledon. From that standpoint, it’s an unbelievable start to the year. It’s a dream start. This one is my 90th so I’m going to enjoy this one now.”

In the sweltering heat on Stadium 1, Federer outwitted a strong Stan Wawrinka, 6-4, 7-5 to become the joint record title holder at Indian Wells and the oldest player ever to win a Masters 1000 title.

At 35-years-old, it seems scarcely believable to say that he is playing as well as he ever has, but his recent performances and achievements suggest exactly that.

During the entire week in the Californian desert, Federer played like he did in his peak and more – boasting an imperious confidence, energy and aggression to which his opponents had no answer for.

After beating his nemesis Rafael Nadal in Melbourne, he absolutely tore the Spaniard to shreds in the fourth-round with a reinvented backhand return and a plethora of relentless forehand winners too hot for Nadal to handle.

Federer was absolutely scintillating and was in no mood to afford any mercy as he went on to triumph without dropping a single set in the tournament. Even when it looked like that run could end, like when he fell 1-3 behind to Jack Sock in a second set tie-break in the semi-finals, Federer still had the assuredness to keep attacking and force his opponent to buckle.

This was a real renaissance and confirms that what he did in Melbourne was no fluke. He seems fresh, motivated, sharp and completely reinvented after his break last year.

His record for 2017 stands at 13-1 and 6-0 against opponents in the top 10. He’s now won the season’s first major and what is often considered the unofficial ‘fifth major’ – Indian Wells. Indeed, it’s his best start to a year since 2004 and there are now suggestions that he could realistically target a return to number one.

“I’ll try and play a good tournament in Miami,” said Federer. “But I’m not chasing rankings for the time being. I’m really here to win titles.”

With the world’s top two, Murray and Djokovic, out of the Miami Open due to injury, Federer could very well secure the coast to coast North American title sweep for this year. Who could have seen that coming?