Indian Wells: Three top seeds reach quarters

INDIAN WELLS: Rafael Nadal raced into the Indian Wells quarter-finals with a dominating win, while Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer needed three sets each to beat unseeded opponents on Wednesday.

Tennis' big three progressed in the California desert with world No. 2 Nadal storming into the quarters by beating 21st seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 6-2 in just 76 minutes.

World number three Federer scrambled for the second-straight day to eliminate an up-and-comer he was facing for the first time, coming from behind to beat Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Defending champ and world No. 1 Djokovic lost a second set tie-breaker en route to a 6-0, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 win over Pablo Andujar.

The 24-year-old Serb came into Wednesday's fourth round match with a 12-1 record on the year, having already captured the fifth Grand Slam title of his career at the Australian Open.

In the quarter-finals, Djokovic will face Nicolas Almagro, who surprised seventh seeded Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-0.

Djokovic looked to be charging his way into the quarters after dominating the first set 6-0 in just 28 minutes.

But he quickly found himself in the middle of a dogfight in the second as unseeded Andujar started to get his serve cracking, winning the set in a tie-breaker to level at one each.

Djokovic fired four aces and saved eight of eight break-point chances in the two hour, 16 minute match.

Nadal next plays unseeded David Nalbandian of Argentina, who came from behind to stun sixth-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Nadal, who finished with four aces, challenged a call to get to match point, after the line judge called a shot on the baseline in. He won the point thanks to a video review that showed the ball was out.

That got Nadal to match point and he clinched the victory when Dolgopolov hit a forehand long.

Federer is chasing his fourth Indian Wells title after winning three straight times from 2004-2006.

The 30-year-old Swiss, who already has two titles in 2012, was making a quick turnaround after rallying to win the night match Tuesday against Canadian Milos Raonic in three sets.

Federer next faces ninth seed Juan Martin del Potro who outlasted Denis Istomin 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (6/8), 6-2 in a two hour, 45 minute night match.

American John Isner defeated Australia's Matthew Ebden 6-4, 7-5. (AFP)