Djokovic, Sharapova enter Round Three

Defending champion Novak Djokovic dispatched Marcos Baghdatis 6-1, 6-3 in 59 minutes to reach the third round of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday night, improving his record to 8-0 against the Cypriot.

Djokovic hasn’t lost a set to Baghdatis in their last three meetings dating to 2011. The Serb looked every inch the world’s top-ranked men’s player, connecting on 74 percent of his first serves and dictating from the baseline.

Sixth-seeded Eugenie Bouchard beat Lucie Hradecka 6-2, 6-2 in two minutes less than Djokovic took on the same court. She broke the Czech six times in winning against Hradecka for the first time in three tries.

Andy Murray beat Vasek Pospisil 6-1, 6-3, with the Canadian making it easier with 35 unforced errors.

Two-time champion Maria Sharapova needed six match points before putting away Yanina Wickmeyer 6-1, 7-5 in her bid to become the first woman to win the tournament three times. Sharapova takes on Victoria Azarenka in the third round.

Kei Nishikori beat American Ryan Harrison 6-4, 6-4, while defending women’s champion Flavia Pennetta beat Madison Brengle 6-4, 6-2.