Andy Roddick returns a shot from Nicolas Kiefer of Germany during the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday in Indian Wells, Calif.
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – Defending champion Novak Djokovic downed Tommy Haas 6-2, 7-6 (1) in their third-round match Tuesday at the BNP Paribas Open.
No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who lost to Djokovic in last year’s semifinals of the desert tournament, advanced with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Dmitry Tursunov. Nadal’s powerful groundstrokes kept the Russian off-balance and on the run, and Tursunov had troubles of his own, making 37 unforced errors.
Later, Andy Roddick beat Nicolas Kiefer 6-4, 7-6(4) in their night match.
Down 3-1 in the tiebreaker, Roddick turned on the power. After Kiefer double-faulted, Roddick evened it with a service winner and added a 135-mph ace to go in front. An overhead gave him a 5-3 lead, and he went on to win the tiebreaker 7-4 with still another big overhead.
Djokovic, a 21-year-old Serb who also made the final two years ago, served well and hit crisp, accurate groundstrokes to beat the 30-year-old Haas.
Djokovic served eight aces, double-faulted once and made 10 unforced errors. Haas had once ace, double-faulted six times and made 25 unforced errors.
Afterward, Djokovic said his game was better than in his opening match, a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Martin Vassallo.
“I’m still finding the rhythm and everything,” he said. “I don’t want to put an extra pressure on myself.
“I’m playing a very solid game for now and saving lots of energy and being focused, not underestimating my opponents and going step by step. The game, for now, it’s quite fine.”
Cardinals keep Haggans
TEMPE – The Arizona Cardinals have re-signed free-agent linebacker Clark Haggans to a three-year contract.Terms weren’t disclosed Tuesday.
Haggans played in 11 games for Arizona last season, with 27 tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery.
Jets will keep Elam
NEW YORK – The Jets have matched the Cleveland Browns’ offer sheet to safety Abram Elam, keeping him in New York’s secondary.
Elam was an unrestricted free agent who started nine games last season, his second with the Jets. Browns coach Eric Mangini already has signed four of his former Jets players, and Cleveland signed Elam to an offer sheet last week, reportedly for one year and $1.5 million, that New York matched Tuesday.
Coyotes beat Sharks
GLENDALE – Shane Doan scored with 26.9 seconds remaining and Phoenix edged San Jose 4-3.
Doan assisted on the Coyotes’ previous three goals.
Kyle Turris scored twice, his first goals since Jan. 8, and chipped in a pair of assists for the Coyotes, who won for the fourth time in five home games against the Sharks. Dmitri Kalinin also scored to help Phoenix build a 3-0 lead in the first period.
Brodeur sets record
NEWARK, N.J. – Martin Brodeur stands alone among NHL goaltenders.
Brodeur posted his 552nd win and passed childhood idol and Hall of Famer Patrick Roy for the most career victories in league history. He made 30 saves in the New Jersey Devils’ 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night.