Djokovic stunned, Rafa, Federer advance

Indian Wells, March 13 

Philipp Kohlschreiber stunned Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-4 in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday, sending the world No. 1 tumbling out of a tournament he had won five times.

The German punched the air in celebration after a video review confirmed that his forehand winner caught the line on match point to seal the upset victory in Indian Wells.

The top-seeded Serb, who had not dropped a set in four matches since the round of 16 at the Australian Open in January, looked out-of-sorts throughout the 98-minute contest.

He committed 27 unforced errors, converted just one of his five break point opportunities and destroyed his racket at one point when frustration boiled over on a sunny day in the Southern California desert.

His sloppy play did not diminish the 35-year-old Kohlschreiber’s joy at defeating a number one ranked player for the first time in his long career, however.

“It’s a very special moment. Of course, playing the top guys is always a big pleasure, but most of the time they beat you,” Kohlschreiber said in an on-court interview. “Today, with Novak being number one, top-seeded here, it’s a very incredible win for me.” 

In another upset earlier, Pole Hubert Hurkacz fired 10 aces en route to a 4-6 6-4 6-3 win over world number seven Kei Nishikori of Japan to reach the fourth round.

The 67th-ranked Hurkacz needed just over two hours to complete the comeback win over the 2014 US Open finalist.

Shapovalov raps to fans

The 22-year-old will next face Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov, who continued his run of dominant serving without being broken on his way to an impressive 6-4 6-2 win over 10th seeded Croat Marin Cilic.

After the match Shapovalov expressed his appreciation for his fans by rapping a song from the sun-soaked court three. “Take care and good night, know this the good life, hot tubs and court time, Thursday we back alright!” he rapped at the end of the song, which got a roar of approval from the audience.

In another upset during the day session Russian 14th seed Daniil Medvedev fell 6-3 6-2 to Serbia’s world No. 113 Filip Krajinovic.

Krajinovic will be a big underdog when he faces Spain’s world No. 2 Rafa Nadal, who crushed Argentine Diego Schwartzman 6-3 6-1 on the showcase court to reach the last 16.

World No. 4 Roger Federer needed under an hour to defeat fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka 6-3 6-4 and will next face Briton Kyle Edmund, who defeated Radu Albot in straight sets earlier in the day.

American John Isner never faced a break point during his comfortable 6-3 6-4 win over Guido Pella.

The big-serving 2012 Indian Wells finalist will face Russian Karen Khachanov after he defeated countryman Andrey Rublev 7-5 6-3 in their fourth round match. — Reuters