Nadal Wins at Indian Wells

Three-time champion Rafael Nadal prevailed in a gripping three-set tussle with Gilles Muller on Sunday night at the BNP Paribas Open, advancing to the third round with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory on Stadium 1.
Both players created a spate of break points, but Nadal saved 11 of the 14 he faced to advance in two hours and 12 minutes. The Spaniard broke Muller in the final game of the match, converting his third match point
"It was very tough conditions out there," said Nadal. "I'm very happy for the victory after the last three matches that I lost have been in three sets or five sets. So I needed a victory like this. Very happy for that.

"Very happy about the attitude during the whole match. Have been very tough to play with that conditions and against a player who serves very well and who goes to the net. It's obvious these conditions help the player who normally plays less from the baseline. So just was a great victory for me.

"Especially the last two games of the match were very important, obviously. I was able to play more aggressive with more determination. That's something that stays in my mind and is very positive."
The 29-year-old Nadal has a 45-8 tournament record at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, lifting the trophy in 2007, 2009 and most recently in 2013, when he defeated Juan Martin del Potro.
Next up for Nadal is his doubles partner Fernando Verdasco, with whom he lost in the first round against Bob and Mike Bryan in a thrilling contest on Saturday evening. The last time Nadal and Verdasco met, Verdasco stunned his countryman with a five-set victory in the first round of the Australian Open.

Source: BNP Paribas Open