Rafael Nadal

The upsets and near upsets just keep coming at Indian Wells. And, the fans are liking the highly competitive play. More than 23,300 fans turned out Saturday, setting a new single day record at the BNP Paribas Open. Heavy favorites are taking their hits and struggling to stay alive in the hotly contested early rounds.

Defending champion, Spaniard Rafael Nadal, and world number three is seeking his first tour victory of the year and his third overall title at Indian Wells. Rafa had his serve working on Saturday as he ousted German Rainer Schuettler 6-4, 6-4 in second round action.

Nadal cruised to a 4-0 lead in set one before Schuettler managed his only break of the match. So dominant was Nadal’s serve that he only lost nine service points the rest of the way. Nadal has not won a title since last May and rumors persist that his ailing knees are not up to form. He will face Croatian Mario Ancic in the third round.

The day’s biggest surprise was the fall of iron man Marin Cilic, who could not withstand the pressure applied by Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. Cilic served for the first set at 6-5 but was broken. He only managed 13 points the rest of the way in the 7-6 (1), 6-0 loss.

Prior to the match, Cilic had been the tour’s hottest players. His 18-2 won-lost record leads all tour players. However, Cilic seemed to hit the wall against the game Spaniard.

Second seed Novak Djokovic won another three set tussle with American Mardy Fish. Djokovic has made a habit of three set matches lately, claiming four on the way to the Dubai Championship. Fish and Djokovic both showed moments of dominance in the 6-1, 0-6, 6-2 match.

Djokovic is on a nice run with eight straight wins and cannot be counted out at Indian Wells.

American best pals, John Isner and Sam Querrey had the crowd roaring with consecutive wins on Court 2. Isner knocked off Kevin Anderson 6-3, 7-5 while his doubles partner, Querrey, took out Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4. Querrey and Isner will meet for the second time in three weeks in the third round. Querrey was victorious in Memphis in a come-from-behind win.

In Men’s doubles, Americans James Blake and Andy Roddick teamed up to defeat Greta Britain’s top team of And Murray and Ross Hutchins 7-5, 7-6 (5). 6,400 fans surrounded the court for the hard fought match.

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