Indian Wells (California), Mar 14 (IANS): Second seed Roger Federer advanced to the quarterfinals after beating countryman Stanislas Wawrinka in three sets here at the ATP Masters BNP Paribas Open tennis.
Although enjoying a 12-1 record against the 27-year-old Wawrinka, Federer needed two hours and 20 minutes Wednesday to battle for the 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-5 victory, reports Xinhua.
The 31-year-old Swiss, world No.2 only behind Serbia's Novak Djokovic, may face his long time rival Rafael Nadal, who just came out from a seven-month knee injury and only competed in his first hard-court tournament since returning from injury.
The fifth-seeded Spaniard will face 24-year-old Latvian qualifier Ernests Gulbis, against whom Nadal has kept a 4-0 head to head record, in the fourth round to be played later Wednesday.