Indian Wells: Rafael Nadal roars through

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after defeating compatriot Fernando Verdasco in their third round match on Tuesday. Nadal won 6-0, 7-6 (11/9). (Photo: AP)

Rafael Nadal avenged a fresh loss to a fellow Spaniard and Serena Williams set up a showdown with the reigning Indian Wells champion at the ATP and WTA hardcourt tournament on Tuesday.

Nadal saved five set points to finish off a two-set victory over Fernando Verdasco 6-0, 7-6 (11-9) in the third round on the main stadium court.

World number one Serena routed 70th ranked Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals at Indian Wells, one of the biggest events on the tennis calendar outside of the four Grand Slams.

Men’s top seed Novak Djokovic, who is aiming for his third straight and a record fifth overall Indian Wells crown, defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5, 7-5 in the night match.

Nadal, the nine-time French Open champion who turns 30 in June, avenged his first-round loss to Verdasco at the Australian Open in January.

Serena, who is playing here for just the second time since ending her 14-year Indian Wells boycott, will face Simona Halep in the quarterfinals.

Defending champion Halep moved on to the quarter-finals when her opponent Barbora Strycova retired in the second set with a respiratory problem.