Djokiovic and Del Potro Move on at BNP Paribas Open
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic from Serbia and Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro are among the men’s field advancing at the 2012 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif. Djokovic, two-time BNP Paribas Open defending champion, defeated Pablo Andujar of Spain, 6-0, 6-7 (5), 6-2, racing through the first set in 27 min. before Andujar picked up his game. The Spaniard, who had lost his previous meeting against Djokovic in straight sets, held at love to even the second set 1-1, drawing encouraging cheers from the crowd at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Djokovic will advance to face the 12th-ranked Nicolas Almagro of Spain, a 6-4, 6-0 winner over seventh-ranked Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-0 of the Czech Republic. Djokovic has a 25-4 record at Indian Wells and has defeated Almagro in their previous two meetings.
“He surprised me with his aggressive approach. He was taking the ball early and was playing well,” Djokovic said of Andujar. “Second set, I start playing a little bit more defensive, and that allowed him to come back to the match. All the credit for him to play the way he played. The second set I could have won, but I managed to stay calm mentally and just find my rhythm again.”
Also advancing was del Potro, a 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-2 winner over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan in two hours and 45 min. del Potro improved to 20-4 on the season, with three of his losses at the hands of his quarterfinals opponent, world number three-ranked Roger Federer. Federer is seeking his first title at the Indian Wells since lifting his third consecutive trophy back in 2006.
ATP Main Draw Singles: Fourth Round (March 14, 2012)
â–ºN. Djokovic (SRB) defeated P. Andujar (ESP), 6-0, 6-7(5), 6-2
â–ºR. Nadal (ESP) defeated A. Dolgopolov (UKR), 6-3, 6-2
â–ºR. Federer (SUI) defeated T. Bellucci (BRA), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
â–ºD. Nalbandian (ARG) defeated J. Tsonga (FRA), 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
â–ºN. Almagro (ESP) defeated T. Berdych (CZE), 6-4, 6-0
â–ºJ. Del Potro (ARG) defeated D. Istomin (UZB), 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-2
â–ºJ. Isner (USA) defeated M. Ebden (AUS), 6-4, 7-5
â–ºG. Simon (FRA) defeated R. Harrison (USA), 7-6(0), 5-7, 6-1
