• BNP Paribas Open

Djokovic set for 2008 final rematch

Mardy Fish is running towards his Novak Djokovic revenge mission © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Baltacha through, Keothavong out in Indian Wells
  
• News: Nadal to play at Queen's
  
• News: Baltacha qualifies for Indian Wells
  
• News: Murray on collision course with Federer
  
• News: Baltacha scrapes through first qualifier
  
• News: Federer and Nadal fit and well
  

Novak Djokovic overcame fan favourite Mardy Fish in the 2008 final to lift the BNP Paribas title in the Californian desert and Fish set up a second round rematch of that clash by beating Michael Berrer 1-6 6-1 6-3 on Thursday.

Fish is ranked outside the top 100 these days but after a sluggish start he took control against the German, who is ranked 55 places higher at No.51.

Mario Ancic showed some of the form which once had him in the top ten by beating American Bobby Reynolds 4-6 6-3 6-4 as he continues his comeback from injury.

Veteran Rainer Schuettler also revisited former glories by taking out fellow qualifier Thiago Alves 7-5 6-0. Schuettler simply stepped it up from the end of the first set, earning a decisive break going on to win eight games in a row.

It truly was a day for the veterans in Indian Wells. Former world No.1 Carlos Moya was another to upset the American crowd by defeating Tim Smyczek in a two hour, 20 minute, marathon two-setter decided by two tie-breaks. Both players may have been greatly Smyczek couldn't take it to a third set, which could have sent the match over three hours in length.

Jeremy Chardy, Pablo Cuevas and Fabio Fognini were also among those progressing to the second round.

In the women's first round action, Anastasija Sevastova took three sets to see off Nuria Llagostera Vives 6-2 3-6 6-1.

Promising Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro took over two hours to win through at the expense of Alize Cornet. In a see-saw match featuring 11 breaks of serve, Navarro eventually triumphed 6-4 1-6 6-2.

Sybille Bammer and Karolina Sprem made it past the first hurdle, while Melanie Oudin and Lucie Safarova crashed out to lower-ranked opponents in Roberta Vinci and Julia Georges respectively.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.