Serena on course, Sharapova out

Serena Williams overcame a slow start to beat Sloane Stephens 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 in the fourth round at the BNP Paribas Open , extending her winning streak to 14 matches.

Maria Sharapova, however, struggled mightily and was beaten  3-6, 6-3, 6-2 by defending champion Flavia Pennetta, who won her ninth straight match after becoming emotional and leaving the court in the first set.

Four-time Indian Wells champion Roger Federer defeated Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-4, avenging his third-round loss to Seppi at the Australian Open.

In a third round men's play, Rafael Nadal beat Donald Young 6-4, 6-2 in a matchup of lefties.

''I feel confident that I am playing much better than one month-and-a-half ago.  I feel closer to be what I am, what I want to be and it's a positive victory for me,'' Nadal said.— Reuters