Djokovic struggles in third-round win

Indian Wells -- Second-seeded Novak Djokovic struggled to post a third-round win Monday in the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, Calif.

Djokovic, the world No. 2 and defending Indian Wells men's champion, hung on to outlast 25th-seeded German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-3), staving off three match points while trailing 4-5 in the third set.

It took Djokovic two hours, 35 minutes to down Kohlschreiber, ending the contest on an inside-out forehand winner. His next opponent will be the winner of the match between 20th-seeded Croat Ivan Ljubicic and Argentine Brian Dabul.

Meanwhile, No. 21 Argentine Juan Monaco pulled off an upset over No. 11 seed and former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-3.

Indian Wells' third round will wrap up Tuesday with matches featuring world No. 1 Roger Federer, fourth-seeded Andy Murray and No. 7 Andy Roddick. Federer will face 27th-seeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.

Copyright 2010 United Press International,

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