INDIAN WELLS, Calif. _ Roger Federer decisively won the latest edition of his long and splendid rivalry with Rafael Nadal, advancing to the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open with a 6-2, 6-3 victory in a match that was keenly anticipated since the draw placed them in the same quarter.
Federer, who in January ended six months of inactivity by winning the Australian Open championship _ his 18th Grand Slam tournament title _ was precise and poised Wednesday in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Stadium 1. Federer's victory cut Nadal's edge in their head-to-head series to 23-13 and was completed in just more than 68 minutes.
Federer, seeded No. 9 here, started out strong and broke Nadal's serve to start the match. He broke Nadal's serve again in the fifth game for a 4-1 lead on a brilliant return. He finished off the set with a forehand winner against Nadal, who was seeded No. 5.
Federer, 35, got an early break in the second set, too, breaking Nadal in the third game with a cross-court forehand to take a 2-1 lead. The rest of the set went according to serve as both reeled off some spectacular shots, but the triumph went to Federer.
His quarterfinal opponent will be No. 15-seeded Nick Kyrgios of Australia, who upset No. 2 Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 7-6 (3), in the previous match on that court.
