Nadal, Federer cruise into Indian Wells 4th round

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer advanced to the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, with straightset victories over Donald Young and Andreas Seppi, respectively.

Nadal got off to a shaky start on Tuesday afternoon, falling behind 31 in the first set and looking out of sorts with his serve. But the Spaniard began dominating the contest thanks in large part to the American’s high unforcederror count 33 and ended up clinching a 64, 62 victory in one hour and 20 minutes.

“I like playing here I love the players, I love the organization, I love the fans here and I feel very comfortable. I’m happy to be in the fourth round. (On Wednesday) I have a tough match against (Frenchman Gilles) Simon. He’s tough, a good player,” the No. 3 seed said after his victory.

Nadal has a career 61 record against Simon, who defeated Germany’s Michael Berrer 62, 75 in the third round.

In the night session, the secondseeded Federer got a measure of revenge for his shocking thirdround loss at this year’s Australian Open to Italy’s Andreas Seppi, his only defeat thus far in 2015.

The Swiss great controlled the contest from start to finish en route to a 63, 64 win, but said he struggled to find his rhythm on court.

“I don’t think we both played very well tonight,” he said. “We both struggled with the conditions, the balls. I think it’s tough to get a hold of them, the right way with the right spin ... It’s one of those matches you’re happy you’re through, and I was happy it was over.”

Federer will next take on American Jack Sock, who is making a successful return from hip surgery in December and on Tuesday reached the fourth round of an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career with a 36, 63, 62 win over 15thseeded Spaniard Roberto BautistaAgut.

In Tuesday’s only upset on the men’s side, Spanish veteran Tommy Robredo, the No. 17 seed, edged Bulgarian No. 11 seed Grigor Dimitrov 64, 16, 75.

In women’s singles action, topseeded American Serena Williams, who is playing this tournament for the first time since being booed and heckled by the fans 14 years ago, reached the quarterfinals on Tuesday by defeating countrywoman Sloane Stephens 67 (37), 62, 62.

Back in 2001, fans were angry at Serena, her sister Venus and father Richard after Venus defaulted her semifinal match against Serena just minutes before play was to start.

Richard Williams said the heckling included racist insults and the 33yearold Serena, who won that year’s event despite the hostile crowd, boycotted the event until this year.

Venus, 34, is continuing her boycott.

In other action Tuesday at Indian Wells, Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro, the No. 12 seed, overcame Britain’s Heather Watson 76 (75), 36, 61, to reach the quarterfinals.