FE Today Logo

Djokovic, Nadal win at Indian Wells

March 17, 2010 00:00:00


Jubo League Dhaka city (south) brought out a procession in the city accusing BNP of sheltering militant plotters against government. — Focus Bangla Photo.
INDIAN WELLS, Calif, Mar 16 (AP): Novak Djokovic built up a head of steam while losing nine consecutive games over two sets. He let it out by tossing his ballcap after finally winning a game in the third.
"If I could pull my hair off, I would do it in that moment," he said.
That wasn't the only trouble the world's No. 2 player ran into Monday.
Djokovic staved off triple match point in the third to beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (3) in third-round play at the BNP Paribas Open.
Kim Clijsters was upset 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) by Alisa Kleybanova, joining top-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, No. 3 Victoria Azarenka, No. 10 Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin on the sidelines before the fourth round.
"You want to see those big names play, but there's a lot of younger girls who are making it tough," Clijsters said.
John Isner beat Sam Querry 7-6 (3), 6-4 in a matchup of U.S. Davis Cup teammates that left Isner as one of four American men still alive.
Djokovic's countrywoman, sixth-seeded Jelena Jankovic, needed nearly three hours to get by Sara Errani of Italy, 2-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4. Defending champion Vera Zvonareva advanced with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia.
Kohlschreiber held for his last lead at 6-5, then Djokovic served a love game.
The Serb led 4-0 in the tiebreak before closing out the 2 1/2 -hour match with a forehand winner. Both players struggled with errors in the midday desert sun, with Kohlschreiber committing 51 to 43 for Djokovic.
Defending champion and third-ranked Rafael Nadal needed just over an hour to put away Mario Ancic of Croatia, 6-2, 6-2, in front of a sparse stadium court crowd.

Share if you like