Past champions Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer advance well at the ATP Indian Wells Masters as the world no.2 Nadal made it to the third round and Roger Federer made a successful start to his quest for the sixth title on Sunday.
Rafael Nadal who is a three-time Indian Wells winner defeated Jared Donaldson 6-1, 6-1 on Sunday in just 72 minutes. Federer, on the other hand, is set to break the tie with world No.1 Novak Djokovic for most titles in California, looking for a similarly easy time but has to turn back a second-set challenge from 85th ranked German Peter Gojowczyk in a 6-1, 7-5 win.
“I struggled a bit with my serving in the second set and that gave him chances. Because he was serving better he started to swing more freely and then it was tough. I am really happy I found a way in that second set,” Federer said who faces compatriot Stan Wawrinka who is a three-time Grand Slam champion.
Rafael Nadal who next faces Diego Schwartzman converted five of his six break chances against Donaldson and never faced a break point himself.
“Today is a very positive step for me and next one is to be against a player whom I know very well,” Nadal said.
“He is one of the best talents in sports today and so it is going to be a tough one against Diego.”