Gilles Simon advances to fourth round at Indian Wells

Number 13 seed Gilles Simon has booked his place in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells with a 6-2 7-5 victory over Michael Berrer.

The Frenchman was in imperious form in the contest, and he quickly asserted himself on the 34-year-old as he broke his serve twice and showed control around the court to take the first set 6-2.

Simon was just as dominant in the second set, powering to a 5-1 lead as he overwhelmed the German with his speed game around the court.

However, Berrer rallied and brought the set level by winning the next four games in a row, and saved three match points as Simon attempted a match-winning break.

The 30-year-old dug deep and was finally able to see off the German to claim a 7-5 victory and to book his place in the fourth round, where he will face either Donald Young or Rafael Nadal.