INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Rafael Nadal survived a wild tiebreaker to beat Fernando Verdasco 6-0, 7-6 (9) in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday.
The three-time Indian Wells champion saved five set points in the tiebreaker and finally closed it out on his second match point when Verdasco's backhand sailed beyond the baseline.
Verdasco has had the upper hand against his fellow Spaniard and doubles partner in the last few years, having won three of their previous four matches, including a five-setter in the first round of the Australian Open in January after Nadal beat him 13 straight times to start the rivalry.