Second seed Federer opened his bid for a fifth Indian Wells title by easing to a 6-4, 6-2 second-round victory over Argentina's Diego Schwartzman. PHOTO: AFP
INDIAN WELLS: Former champions Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal breezed through their Indian Wells openers and Serena Williams stepped up her comeback from a 14-year boycott with a similar crushing victory on Sunday.
Second seed Federer opened his bid for a fifth Indian Wells title by easing to a 6-4, 6-2 second-round victory over Argentina's Diego Schwartzman. Nadal also opened his campaign on a successful note, blitzing Igor Sijsling 6-4, 6-2 in the joint WTA and ATP hardcourt tournament.
Federer, who is making his 15th appearance in the California desert, advances to the third round, where he will face Italy's Andreas Seppi, who beat Federer earlier this year at the Australian Open.
"It was important to get a good start. I had to stay focused and try to stay aggressive on the return which isn't always easy," said Federer.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner Federer is ranked second in the world and has a shot at reclaiming the top ranking with a good showing at Indian Wells.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old Spaniard Nadal, who has won this event three times, advances to the next round where he will face American Donald Young. "I think I played solidly for a first match," said Nadal. "I'm very happy with the way I played."
Top seed Serena stepped up her comeback from a 14-year Indian Wells boycott by storming into the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-0 demolition of error-prone Zarina Diyas. "This is going in the right direction," she said. "I was able to be a little more consistent today."
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