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Nishikori advances to 3rd round at Indian Wells; Sharapova, Djokovic in action

Associated Press
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Kei Nishikori, of Japan, returns to Ryan Harrison during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (The Associated Press)

Ryan Harrison reacts after losing a point to Kei Nishikori, of Japan, during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (The Associated Press)

Kei Nishikori beat American Ryan Harrison 6-4, 6-4 in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday, while defending women's champion Flavia Pennetta easily advanced.

Playing in 91-degree heat, Nishikori dispatched Harrison in 1 1/2 hours despite struggling with his first serve. The fifth-ranked Japanese player reached the third round at Indian Wells for the first time in eight tries.

Nishikori arrived in the desert on a roll, having reached the quarterfinals or better at each of his four previous tournaments this year. He won the title in Memphis.

Harrison fell to 1-24 against top-10 players in his career.

Pennetta beat American Madison Brengle 6-4, 6-2 as the Italian opened defense of the biggest title of her career.

Two-time winner Maria Sharapova was to play later, while defending men's champion Novak Djokovic competes in an evening match.