Nadal through, Murray falls in Indian Wells

By Matthew Cronin

INDIAN WELLS (Reuters) – Spanish second seed Rafael Nadal
continued his winning streak on Sunday, racing past Jan Hernych
6-4 6-4 to reach the third round of the Pacific Life Open.

The 19-year-old, who beat world number one Roger Federer to
win the title in Dubai in his last tournament, struggled with
the wind but was too consistent for his opponent on the day.

Britain’s great teenage hope fell, however, Andy Murray
losing 6-1 3-6 6-3 to fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia.

In women’s action, comeback queen and former world number
one Martina Hingis beat Austria’s Sybille Bammer 6-0 6-3.

“You pretty much get through, get it done,” said Hingis,
who faces second seed Lindsay Davenport next. Davenport beat
Laura Granville 6-4 6-0.

Top seed Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium also advanced,
making quick work of Tszvetana Pironkova 6-2 6-2, while
Serbia’s number eight seed Ana Ivanovic beat Severine Bremond
6-3 6-2.

WINDY CONDITIONS

Nadal struggled with the windy Indian Wells conditions, but
still managed to be more consistent.

“It is very difficult to play like this,” the Spaniard
said. “It didn’t feel very good. But I won and that’s the most
important thing.”

After winning the title in San Jose last month with
back-to-back wins over Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt, the
18-year-old Murray lost in the quarter-finals of Memphis, the
first round of Las Vegas and now in the second round of Indian
Wells.

He was still pleased with his effort, though.

“I didn’t play (my) best but I gave 100 percent,” the
Scottish baseliner said. “I’m not going to play my best every
week because I’m too young. I fought hard and he didn’t make
too many mistakes.

“He has some of the best groundstrokes in the game. He
doesn’t give away any cheap points.”

In other action, 17th seed Tommy Robredo made quick work of
Kenneth Carlsen 6-1 6-3, but Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber
upset 10th seed David Ferrer of Spain 6-2 6-2.