Rafael Nadal receives Indian Wells walkover

Rafael Nadal has received a free passage through to round four at Indian Wells in California.

The former world number one had been due to take on Argentina's Leonardo Mayer in a third-round encounter this evening.

However, 25-year-old Mayer has been forced to withdraw from the tournament with a back injury.

Nadal will now play the winner of Andreas Seppi vs. Ernests Gulbis for a place in the semi-finals.