Djokovic, Federer power through at Indian Wells

Clijsters pulls out, Jankovic falls, Wozniacki advances.

INDIAN WELLS:

Novak Djokovic extended his winning streak to 16 and Roger Federer barely broke a sweat as they powered their way into the Indian Wells fourth round with straight-set wins.

Djokovic capped his 6-0, 6-1 demolition of Ernests Gulbis with back-to-back aces and Federer had an equally easy time ousting Juan Ignacio Chela 6-0, 6-2 in the WTA and ATP Masters Series 1000 tournament.

“I have been playing great tennis, best of my life,” said Djokovic. “I cannot ask for a better start of the year.”

Djokovic moves on to face his Serbian countryman and doubles partner Victor Troicki who beat France’s Michael Llodra 6-3, 6-3.

Federer was on the court just four minutes longer than Djokovic.

“At the end, it was a great match. For me, anyway,” said Federer. “I’m happy it went so well today.”

Roddick, Berdych prevail

Former US Open champion Andy Roddick defeated fellow American John Isner 7-5, 6-2, Czech Tomas Berdych beat Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil 6-3, 6-2, Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka defeated Marin Cilic 7-5, 6-3 and Richard Gasquet surprised 10th-seed Jurgen Melzer of Germany 6-1, 6-3.

Clijsters’ campaign ends in disappointment

Two-time champion Kim Clijsters pulled out of Indian Wells in mid-match with shoulder problems, adding to the growing list of top-seed casualties among the women players.

Second-seed Clijsters retired from her fourth-round match in the middle of the second set with a right shoulder injury, gifting the victory to France’s Marion Bartoli.

“I just felt on every serve or forehand that came in a little high that something was not right — that something was not suppose to be there,” said Clijsters.

Wozniacki sneaks through to quarters

World number one  Wozniacki did manage to sneak through, but even she had her work cut out for her as the Dane lost the first set before rallying to beat Alisa Kleybanova of Russia 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals.

Wozniacki moves on to the quarter-finals, where she will face eighth-seeded Victoria Azarenka, who beat Agnieszka Radawanska of Poland 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3).

Uninspiring Jankovic crashes out

Defending champion Jelena Jankovic and reigning French Open champ Francesca Schiavone were also bounced in the fourth round, leaving just three of the top 10 seeds in the tournament.

In other matches Peng Shuai defeated Nadia Petrova 6-4, 5-7, 6-3. She advances to the quarter-finals where she will face Russian Maria Sharapova who beat Dinara Safina 6-2, 6-0.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2011.