Tennis: Resurgent Pe'er knocks out Chakvetadze in California

Israel's top women's player faces Azarenka in last-16 of prestigious Indian Wells event.

By ALLON SINAI, AP
shahar peer tennis 248 88 ap (photo credit: AP [file])
shahar peer tennis 248 88 ap
(photo credit: AP [file])
Shahar Pe'er continued to impress in California on Sunday night, defeating world number 24 Anna Chakvetadze 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the last 16 of the esteemed $4.5 million Indian Wells tournament. The 21-year-old Israeli (49 in the world) was broken four times during the match, but dominated on the Russian's serve, converting seven of her 13 break points on her way to yet another fine win under the Californian sun. Pe'er, who defeated world No. 12 Marion Bartoli in the second round, will next face 11th ranked Victoria Azarenka, who defeated Russian Elena Vesnina 6-3, 7-5 in the third round. Also Sunday, Andy Ram and Max Minryi progressed to the second round of the doubles tournament in Indian Wells, beating Robert Lindstedt and Martin Damm 6-3, 6-7 (5), 12-10. Meanwhile, top-ranked Rafael Nadal needed just 67 minutes to beat Michael Berrer of Germany, 6-2, 6-1 in the second round of the men's tournament. Nadal, enjoying his 30th consecutive week at No. 1, had a bye in the first round before overwhelming Berrer, a qualifier ranked No. 112 on the ATP Tour. Nadal lost just five points in seven service games and broke Berrer five times. "For me it was perfect," said the Spaniard, who will meet Dmitry Tursunov of Russia in the third round. "I played a very comfortable match. I had the break in the first game of both sets. That's really important. I felt well on the court, playing good." Defending champion and third-seeded Novak Djokovic also advanced to the third round with a 7-5, 6-4 win against Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina. Djokovic struggled at the start of the season, but is coming off a tournament title at Dubai last month. "Winning Dubai meant a lot for my confidence level and for my game overall," he said. "I've changed my racket. Probably that was the big reason for mental instability in certain stages at the start of the year. I was thinking about that more than my game. Luckily for me, it has changed." In the women's draw, top-seeded Dinara Safina, No. 4 Vera Zvonareva of Russia and No. 9 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark all won their third-round matches. Safina, who will move to the top of the WTA Tour rankings if she reaches the final round, beat Peng Shuai of China, 7-5, 6-4.