Nadal, Federer set up California clash with wins

REUTERS: Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal powered to third-round wins at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Tuesday to set up a mouth-watering rematch of their recent Australian Open final.

Fifth seed Nadal defeated fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-3 7-5, while ninth seed Federer served impeccably to get past American Stevie Johnson 7-6(3) 7-6(4) and book the 36th showdown of their famous rivalry.

Three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic also had reason to celebrate as the second seed ran off the last five games to overcome big-hitting Juan Martin del Potro 7-5 4-6 6-1 in a bottom half of the draw stacked full of top players.

The victory gave Djokovic a chance for revenge as he next meets young Australian Nick Kyrgios, who defeated the Serb at this month’s Mexican Open on his way to the semi-finals.

Kyrgios prevailed 6-3 6-4 over Alexander Zverev in an entertaining first tour-level meeting between the young guns.

Fourth seed Kei Nishikori of Japan also cruised into the fourth round with a 6-2 6-2 rout of Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.

Nishikori next faces American Donald Young, who needed seven match points to complete a 6-4 1-6 6-3 victory over 14th-seeded Frenchman Lucas Pouille.

American Jack Sock joined the Round of 16 by knocking out Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, edging a third-set tie-breaker to advance 3-6 6-3 7-6(7).