Indian Wells round up: Federer sets up Nadal clash as Djokovic breaks record

Rafael Nadal will meet Roger Federer in the fourth round at Indian Wells as Novak Djokovic, Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka all progressed.

There were a series of exciting round three encounters, with Djokovic taking on Juan Martin del Potro, while two of the game’s most talented stars Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios faced off for the first time.

Here we take a look back at what happened at the BNP Paribas Open in the third round…

How did Federer, Nadal and Djokovic get on?

Nadal eased past his compatriot Fernando Verdasco with a 6-3 7-5 success to set up a clash against the man who beat him in the Australian Open final earlier in 2017.

Federer was forced to work a little harder with a gritty 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4) win over American Steven Johnson – a match with no breaks of serve.

Djokovic, who has been handed the toughest draw of anyone in the competition, battled past dangerous Argentine Juan Martin del Potro.

The Serb, a five-time champion in Indian Wells, completed his 19th consecutive win in California – a tournament record – with a 7-5 4-6 6-1 win over the Argentine.

He also became just the third man after Federer and Nadal to earn 300 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 victories.

The best of the rest?

Djokovic will go on to face Nick Kyrgios, who knocked him out in Acapulco, after the Australian moved past Alexander Zverev.

Both have been touted as future world No. 1s and Grand Slam winners but it was the older of the two of them who claimed victory in their first Tour meeting, with a 6-3 6-4 win.

There were no problems for other top seeds Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka, who eased past Gilles Muller and Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Shock of the round?

World No. 70 Yoshihito Nishioka continued his fine form to rally back from a set down against Tomas Berdych and advance to the fourth round.

The 21-year-old Japanese, who reached the quarter-finals in Acapulco, is a lucky loser at the event but still emerged victorious 1-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

American world No. 60 Donald Young also stunned 14th seed Lucas Pouille, winning 6-4 1-6 6-3.

Elsewhere Jack Sock took out Grigor Dimitrov, while Andy Murray’s conqueror Vasek Pospisil fell to Dusan Lajovic.

What does the fourth round hold?

Simply put, some breath-taking ties.

Tennis fans will no doubt be intrigued to see how Djokovic will respond to losing his first ever meeting with Kyrgios, with the winner taking on either Federer or Nadal.

Federer-Nadal is undoubtedly the tie of the round, with those in the top half of the draw certainly enjoying an easier time of it than those in the bottom.

Here’s what’s coming up: