Nadal beats Verdasco at Indian Wells
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA TODAY Sports
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - Rafael Nadal defeated Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5 in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open for his 50th career victory at the desert tournament.
Nadal closed out the 1.5-hour match in 95-degree heat with a forehand winner on Tuesday. The three-time tournament champion could next face Roger Federer, who played American Steve Johnson later.
Five-time Indian Wells winner Novak Djokovic takes on 2013 finalist Juan Martin del Potro at night.
On the women's side, Venus Williams and Madison Keys played fourth-round matches later.
In other matches, No. 4 seed Kei Nishikori routed 25th-seeded Gilles Muller 6-2, 6-2, and American Donald Young defeated 14th-seeded Lucas Pouille 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.
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