Rafael Nadal, Kei Nishikori through to Indian Wells last 16
Wednesday 15 March 2017 11:26, UK
Rafael Nadal booked his place in the last 16 of the Paribas Open at Indian Wells while fourth seed Kei NIshikori also advanced.
After an evenly contested start, Nadal moved through the gears to take the first set in just 31 minutes, before a tighter second almost went the distance. The Spaniard sealed a 50th career win in the Californian desert 6-3 7-5.
Nadal has 28 Masters 1000 titles to his name, as well as 14 Grand Slams but he is seeking a first title of 2017 and will have to do it the hard way with a host of huge names in his half of the draw.
The world number six took to the court against a familiar foe in Verdasco, he has played his fellow Spaniard 18 times, winning 15 of them although all three of Verdasco's wins have come in their past four meetings.
Having claimed the opener, it looked like being another routine set for Nadal, chasing a fourth Indian Wells title, when he went up an early break in the second set only to see Verdasco reel off eight points in succession to level the match.
But Nadal, seeded fifth, broke in the 11th game for a 6-5 lead and served out the win to seal his place in the fourth round and an Australian Open final repeat with Roger Federer who beat Steve Johnson later on Tuesday.
Nishikori was the first winner of the day, sealing a comfortable win against big-serving Gilles Muller to book a fourth round showdown with Donald Young.
Nishikori beat Dan Evans for the loss of just seven games in his second round opener but was even more impressive too see 25th seed Muller 6-2 6-2.
The Japanese fourth seed is yet to win a Masters title, losing in three finals, two of which came last year in Miami and Toronto but he was far too strong for Muller, breaking serve on four occasions to wrap up a routine win in just 71 minutes.
Young scored a hugely impressive 6-4 1-6 6-3 win over 14th seed Lucas Pouille to reach the fourth round of a Masters event for the first time in his career.
The 27-year-old American edged a tight first set before Pouille ran away with the second but Young should great poise to force an early double break that was enough to give him the decider but only after six match points had gone begging.
33-year-old Malek Jaziri continues his fine form, the world No 53 has already beaten Nicolas Mahut and Marcel Granollers and added the scalp of home favourite Taylor Fritz to his week's work.
The Tunisian was pegged back having claimed the opening set but rallied in the decider taking the only break point either man could muster in the third set for a 6-4 3-6 6-3 win and a last 16 date with Jack Sock who saved four match points before beating Grigor Dimitrov in a three-set epic
For those on the move, we will have Indian Wells covered on Sky Sports News HQ and don't forget that you can follow us via our website skysports.com/tennis, our app for mobile devices and iPad or our Twitter account @skysportstennis for news, reports, live blogs and expert analysis.
Non-subscribers can grab a NOW TV Sky Sports Day Pass for just £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99. No contract. You can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.
