Nadal does what Federer, Djokovic can’t, advances in the desert

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Rafael Nadal, the BNP Paribas defending men’s champion, was well-tested Wednesday afternoon by 24-year-old American John Isner, the 15th-seeded player who made a major mark last year by upsetting Andy Roddick at the U.S. Open. But Nadal’s speed and his stylish shot-making from behind the baseline pulled him to a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win in 2 hours 10 minutes.

Isner had never played Nadal, and the 6-foot-9 American used his service strength well, particularly in the second set. Next up for Nadal, the highest-seeded player left in the men’s draw, will be the winner of a match later Wednesday between Viktor Troicki of Serbia and Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.

-- Diane Pucin