Djokovic ousts Del Potro, No. 2 Kerber upset

Three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic had reason to celebrate at Indian Wells, California, on Tuesday night as the second seed ran off the last five games to overcome big-hitting Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 in a bottom half of the draw stacked full of top players.

“It was definitely difficult to overcome this challenge tonight,” Djokovic said. “The third set was probably the best tennis that I played this year and I’m just glad I was able to pick up my game.”

The victory gave Djokovic a chance for revenge as he next meets young Australian Nick Kyrgios, who defeated the Serb at this month’s Mexican Open on his way to the semifinals – the first time they had met in competition.

Kyrgios prevailed 6-3, 6-4 over Alexander Zverev in an entertaining first tour-level meeting between the young guns.

In women’s action, Russia’s Elena Vesnina ousted German second seed Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals. The victory was the 14th-seeded Vesnina’s first against a topthree player and put the doubles specialist into a last-eight showdown against seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams.

Vesnina blasted 28 winners to 21 unforced errors and broke Kerber’s serve five times to forge ahead before holding off a late rally by the German, who will return to No. 1 in the world rankJOHT OFYU XFFL EFTQJUF IFS FBSMZ FYJU JO $BMJGPSOJB