Reuters
Indian Wells, March 16: Roger Federer wasted little time easing into the third round of the BNP Paribas Open here Sunday but his fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka became the first big name to be sent packing at the elite men’s event.
World No. 2 Federer launched his bid for a record fifth title at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden with a clinical 6-4, 6-2 victory over Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman which lasted a little over an hour.
Seventh-seeded Wawrinka, however, was knocked out of the ATP Masters 1000 event, losing 3-6, 6-3, 3-6 to Dutchman Robin Haase.
Spanish left-hander Rafa Nadal, a three-time champion at Indian Wells, also advanced in comfortable fashion as he demolished Dutchman Igor Sijsling 6-4, 6-2 in an evening match lasting just 72 minutes.
Federer treated the stadium court crowd to his familiar array of blistering forehands, clean-hit backhands, power serving and delicate drop shots as he broke Schwartzman once in the opening set and twice in the second.
“I think I did very well,” Federer said courtside after ending the match with a crunching forehand winner down the line. “It was a bit breezy and you had to be careful at times but it’s always good to get a first win.
Wawrinka was broken twice by Haase in the opening set and also in the third to be ousted after one hour and 48 minutes. Haase, who had been beaten by the Swiss in all six of their previous meetings, will next play Czech Lukas Rosol, who battled past Slovakian Martin Klizan 4-6, 6-0, 6-3.
