Indian Wells, California - Andy Murray began the concluding week of tennis' Indian Wells Masters on sparkling form, reaching the last 16 with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-2 victory over Paul-Henri Mathieu on Monday.
The Scot seeded fourth needed only an hour and a quarter to earn his third win without a defeat against the Frenchman ranked 33rd. Murray fired six aces and broke five times to roll through.
The result improved Murray to 17-1 on the season, which has included titles at Doha and Rotterdam, where he beat number 1 Rafael Nadal for the trophy.
Indian Wells, California - Defending champion Novak Djokovic continued to rebuild his fragile confidence with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Argentine Marcel Vassallo Arguello to move into the third round of the Indian Wells Masters on Sunday.
"This year hasn't started maybe the way I thought I would, but now I've raised my confidence in a higher level," said the 2008 Australian Open champion who won his first title of this season a fortnight ago in Dubai.
"Winning there meant a lot for my confidence level and for my game overall."
Indian Wells, California - Roger Federer insisted on Saturday that his impending summer fatherhood won't impact his tennis as he strives for more history in the sport.
"I've always had the dream that once I became number 1, that if I have a child I hope I have it early enough so he can see me playing," he said after reaching the third round of the Indian Wells Masters 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 over Marc Gicquel.
Indian Wells, California - Exhausted Elena Dementieva, winner of her first 15 matches this season, hit the wall as she crashed out to Czech Petra Cetkovska 6-7 (2-7), 6-2, 6-1 Saturday at the Indian Wells Masters.
"I shouldn't have come here because I didn't have enough time to recover after playing so many matches in the beginning of the year," said the Russian Olympic gold medallist. "I just needed a much longer break to get ready to play at my best."
Indian Wells, California - Andy Murray began a slow return to form after overcoming a virus that had laid him low for more than a week, advancing to victory in his opening match Saturday at the Indian Wells Masters 7-5, 6-3 over Albert Montanes.
The Scot fourth seed admitted that while he was not in top form, he did turn in a respectable showing against an opponent who has won a mere two matches this season.
"I thought I did well. I wanted to just give it 110 per cent," said the winner of two ATP titles so far in 2009.
Indian Wells, California - Novak Djokovic insisted Friday that he has nothing to prove beyond trying to play his best tennis as he defends his title at the Indian Wells Masters.
Ranked third behind Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the Serb opens play after a bye as the month-long US spring hard-court season begins in the California desert.
"I'm not trying to defend anything," said the 2008 Australian Open champion, who lifted the Dubai trophy late last month. "I'm always trying to improve, so I don't pay too much attention to the rankings."
Indian Wells, California - Andy Murray began the concluding week of tennis' Indian Wells Masters on sparkling form, reaching the last 16 with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-2 victory over Paul-Henri Mathieu on Monday.
Indian Wells, California - Defending champion Novak Djokovic continued to rebuild his fragile confidence with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Argentine Marcel Vassallo Arguello to move into the third round of the Indian Wells Masters on Sunday.
Indian Wells, California - Roger Federer insisted on Saturday that his impending summer fatherhood won't impact his tennis as he strives for more history in the sport.
Indian Wells, California - Exhausted Elena Dementieva, winner of her first 15 matches this season, hit the wall as she crashed out to Czech Petra Cetkovska 6-7 (2-7), 6-2, 6-1 Saturday at the Indian Wells Masters.
Indian Wells, California - Andy Murray began a slow return to form after overcoming a virus that had laid him low for more than a week, advancing to victory in his opening match Saturday at the Indian Wells Masters 7-5, 6-3 over Albert Montanes.
Indian Wells, California - Novak Djokovic insisted Friday that he has nothing to prove beyond trying to play his best tennis as he defends his title at the Indian Wells Masters.
