Indian Wells Masters: Dimitrov sent packing by Verdasco before rain sets in

California, March 11: Grigor Dimitrov surprisingly farewelled the Indian Wells Masters, but Dominic Thiem and Kevin Anderson were among the seeds to advance.

Dimitrov – the third seed – was the biggest casualty on Saturday (March 10) after he was stunned by Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco.

Thiem and Anderson, however, had no such trouble booking their spots in the third round, along with Tomas Berdych.

World number one and defending champion Roger Federer, meanwhile, was unable to complete his opening match due to rain.

Federer – a 20-time grand slam champion – won the opening set 6-3 and was level with Federico Delbonis 2-2 in the second before rain halted play for the day.

VERDASCO TURNS BACK CLOCK

Former world number seven Verdasco sent Dimitrov packing following his 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 6-3 win on Saturday.

Verdasco hit 12 aces as the 34-year-old recorded just his second top-10 victory at Indian Wells.

Lob perfection 👌@FerVerdasco #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/lSIfbBUrZU

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 11, 2018

"Tennis was always my life since I'm a baby," said Verdasco. "I always love this sport. I always love to play.

"Being able to go out to the court and know that you are ready to fight these guys, no? Now I'm 34 and I have to fight against players 21, 22, 23 that are much younger. They have much less miles or kilometres in his legs. And I just have to work really hard and keep that motivation high to be able to win matches."

THIEM TAMES TSITSIPAS

The world number six and fifth seed continues to impress this season.

Thiem posted an ATP World Tour-leading 17th victory for the year after outlasting Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 3-6 6-3.

The Austrian star, who lost in the last 16 at the Australian Open, has now advanced to at least the quarter-finals of four of his five tour-level tournaments in 2018.

Next up for Thiem is 30th seed Pablo Cuevas, who saw off teenage sensation Denis Shapovalov 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.

.@ThiemDomi is sizzling on this Saturday morning 🔥

That backhand is well and truly warmed up...

Watch live ➡️ https://t.co/3vvQfoJmv9#BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/NxR9CWmRz4

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 10, 2018

BERDYCH POWERS THROUGH

The Czech 12th seed was a class above against Maximilian Marterer, cruising to a 6-1 6-4 victory in just 71 minutes.

Tomas Berdych was the first player through to the third round as he progressed in his opening match at Indian Wells for the eighth time in his past nine appearances.

He is sure to face a tougher task against Australian Open semi-finalist and South Korean star Hyeon Chung, who rallied past Dusan Lajovic 6-7 (9-11) 6-3 6-3.

In-form seventh seed Kevin Anderson accounted for Evgeny Donskoy 7-5 6-4.

Pablo Carreno Busta, Roberto Bautista Agut and Adriano Mannarino were among the other seeds to move on, while Fabio Fognini and Albert-Ramos Vinolas joined Dimitrov in exiting the tournament.

Source: OPTA