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Nadal puts out Nalbandian

Roddick beats Stakhovsky

— PHOTO: AFP

SOLDIERING ON:Rafael Nadal overcame David Nalbandian in three sets to book a berth in the fourth round on Sunday.

MIAMI: Rafael Nadal joined Roger Federer as a seeded survivor at the upset-plagued Miami Masters as the Spaniard defeated David Nalbandian 6-7(8), 6-2, 6-2 on Sunday for a fourth round berth.

American sixth seed Andy Roddick kept the home crowd happy with his 6-2, 6-1 defeat of Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine, while resurgent Spanish veteran Juan Carlos Ferrero eliminated John Isner of the United States 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

Nadal's next opponent will be 15th-seeded compatriot David Ferrer, who tamed the huge serve of Ivo Karlovic — only ten aces for the Croatian — 7-6(5), 6-3.

Fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro beat Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-2, 6-7(9), 6-3 to set up a match with Brazil's Tomaz Bellicci, who ended the run of Djokivic's conqueror Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-3, 6-4. Nadal, who won his last title last May in Rome, is not fussed about his lack of recent trophy success. Instead, he's looking for small improvements as he gets back in the groove in the wake of the knee injury suffered at the Australian Open.

Important win

“I'm in the fourth round for me,” he said, refusing to consider the potential organiser's dream Federer-Nadal title match. “It's far away from that moment. “It's an important win for me today and I'm very happy for that. I'm pleased with how I'm doing in this American hardcourt season. Every match is really important for me, and every victory gives me confidence.

Argentina's Nalbandian is finding his way again after last year's hip operation and a recovery setback in the form of an abdominal strain in January. He had won two of the pair's three previous matches, but Nadal prevailed in their last encounter in the fourth round of Indian Wells in 2009 — saving five match points along the way.

“I'm very happy to see him back after an important surgery,” said Nadal. ”

“He can make very difficult things very easy. When he's playing at his best he makes you feel like you are nothing in the middle of the court.

In women's WTA play, second-seeded U.S. Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki battled through illness to defeat Maria Kirilenko 1-6, 6-1, 6-4.

“I felt dizzy from the middle of the first set already,” said the Dane. “Even though I didn't feel 100 percent, I still went out there and fought. Third set I started to feel better. I think everything started to get to normal almost, and I felt much better. Victoria Azarenka, the defending champion, continued her quest for a second title with a 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Lucie Safarova.

The results:

Men: Third round: Nicolas Almagro bt Jeremy Chardy 6-2, 6-7(9), 6-3; Thomaz Bellucci bt Olivier Rochus 6-3, 6-4; Rafael Nadal bt David Nalbandian 6-7(8), 6-2, 6-2; David Ferrer bt Ivo Karlovic 7-6(5), 6-3; Andy Roddick bt Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-2, 6-1; Benjamin Becker bt Tommy Robredo 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(1); Juan Carlos Ferrero bt John Isner 6-2, 3-6, 6-3; Jo-Wilfried Tsonga bt Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2, 7-5.

Women: Third round: Kim Clijsters bt Shahar Peer 6-0, 6-1; Sam Stosur bt Virginie Razzano 4-6, 7-5, 6-1; Vera Zvonareva bt Sara Errani 6-2, 6-3; Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova bt Francesca Schiavone 7-5, 6-3; Justine Henin bt Dominika Cibulkova 6-4, 6-4; Victoria Azarenka bt Lucie Safarova 6-4, 6-2; Caroline Wozniacki bt Maria Kirilenko 1-6, 6-1, 6-4; Jelena Jankovic bt Elena Vesnina 7-6(3), 6-3.

Doubles: Mahesh Bhupathi & Max Mirnyi bt Stephen Huss & Wesley Moodie 6-4, 7-5; Lukas Dlouhy & Leander Paes bt Ross Hutchins & Jordan Kerr 6-4, 7-6(4) .

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