Rafael Nadal restored order on a day of upsets with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 fourth-round victory over big-serving American John Isner at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament on Wednesday at Indian Wells, Calif., after Novak Djokovic and Elena Dementieva were ousted.
Seeking his third title at Indian Wells, No. 3 seed Nadal withstood Isner's serve-and-volley game under the searing afternoon sun in front of a partisan crowd backing one of only two American men remaining.
Nadal ended things with a forehand winner into the open court, prompting a huge yell out of the defending champion.
Isner, from Greensboro, fired 22 aces and had just one double-fault in his first match against Nadal.
Nadal advanced to the quarterfinals against 19th-seeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, a 6-1, 6-1 winner over No. 29 Viktor Troicki of Serbia.
No. 7 Andy Roddick met 22nd-seeded Jurgen Melzer of Austria in a night match, followed by No. 14 Andy Murray against Nicolas Almagro of Spain. No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki was to play 18th-seeded Zheng Jie of China.
No. 2 Djokovic, the highest seeded men's player remaining and the 2008 winner, lost 7-5, 6-3 to No. 20 seed Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia, a day after top-ranked Roger Federer was ousted.
No. 4 Dementieva struggled with her footwork in a 6-4, 6-3 quarterfinal loss to fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, who has yet to drop a set in four matches.
Agassi inquiries dropped: Tennis officials have closed the book on Andre Agassi's drug revelations. International Tennis Federation president Francesco Ricci Bitti said in Rome that despite appeals from the World Anti-Doping Agency, the statute of limitations in the case expired long ago and no retroactive punishment was possible. In Agassi's autobiography, "Open," he wrote that he took crystal meth in 1997 and lied to the ATP to avoid a suspension after failing a doping test.
Tebow shows new throwing motion
Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow debuted his new throwing motion to NFL coaches and scouts on Wednesday during pro day at Gainesville, Fla.
NFL coaches such as Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers and John Fox of the Carolina Panthers were among the first big names on the field.
Tebow's motion looked more fluid and featured a quicker release with short tosses. But Tebow is still releasing low, a problem during his days as a Heisman Trophy winner.
The Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel
Redskins sign Grossman: Free-agent quarterback Rex Grossman signed a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins. He spent last season with the Houston Texans, working with new Skins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
Anderson joins Cardinals: Derek Anderson is joining the Arizona Cardinals as the backup quarterback to Matt Leinart with a chance to push for the starting job. Anderson, released by the Cleveland Browns, agreed to a two-year deal.
NFL may change playoffs OT: NFL owners will vote next week whether to allow each team a possession in overtime in the playoffs if the team winning the OT coin toss kicks a field goal on the first series.
Olazabal pulling out of Masters
Sergio Gomez, manager for 1994 and 1999 Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, said Wednesday the golfer will pull out of the Masters next month because he is suffering again from rheumatism in his shoulder, forearms and hands.
CA decides not to renew: The PGA Tour is looking for a new title sponsor for its World Golf Championship at Doral in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., after CA decided not to renew.
Barbaro's brother entered
Barbaro's brother Lentenor has been entered to run in the Florida Derby, a prep race for the Kentucky Derby.
Lentenor is the co-third choice at 6-1 in a field of 11 3-year-olds entered Wednesday for Saturday's $750,000 race at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.
Todd Pletcher-trained Rule is the 5-2 favorite.
Barbaro won the 2006 Florida Derby before his victory in the Kentucky Derby. Barbaro broke down in the Preakness and was euthanized eight months later.
The Associated Press
