Nadal takes revenge Serena cruises at Indian Wells

Date

3/18/2016 2:04:45 PM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Rafael Nadal avenged a fresh loss to a fellow Spaniard and Serena Williams set up a showdown with the reigning Indian Wells champion at the ATP and WTA hardcourt tournament on Tuesday.

Nadal saved five set points to finish off a two-set victory over Fernando Verdasco 6-0 7-6 (11-9) in the third round on the main stadium court. World number one Williams routed 70th ranked Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals at Indian Wells one of the biggest events on the tennis calendar outside of the four Grand Slams. Men's top seed Novak Djokovic who is aiming for his third straight and a record fifth overall Indian Wells crown defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5 7-5.

Nadal avenged his first-round loss to Verdasco at the Australian Open in January. Nadal moved a step closer to a fourth trophy in the California desert where he took the title in 2013 2009 and 2007. The swashbuckling Spaniard next faces German Alexander Zverev who defeated Gilles Simon 6-2 6-2.

Williams who is playing here for just the second time since ending her 14-year Indian Wells boycott will face Simona Halep in the quarter-finals. Last year at Indian Wells Halep won their semi final without even striking a ball after Williams pulled out of the tournament at the last minute with a knee injury. Halep went on to win the title. That withdrawal cut short Williams' first Indian Wells campaign since 2001 when spectators booed her during the final and jeered her sister Venus and father Richard Williams when the pair arrived to watch the match. Richard Williams alleges he heard racial taunts.

Halep moved on to the quarter-finals when her opponent Barbora Strycova retired in the second set with a respiratory problem. Williams has dominated Halep over the years beating her six times in seven matches.

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