Murray, Federer, Li win at Indian Wells

Andy Murray of Great Britain hits a return in his third round match against Jiri Vesely (CZE) during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, Mar 10, 2014. Murray won 6-7, 6-4, 6-4. [Photo/Agencies]

INDIAN WELLS, California - Andy Murray outlasted Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-4 on Monday in his second straight three-set match at the BNP Paribas Open.

The fifth-seeded Scotsman had his hands full playing for the first time against Vesely, who at age 20 is the youngest member of the top 100 of the ATP Tour rankings and was competing in his first Masters 1000 event.

Four-time tourney champion Roger Federer defeated 27th-seeded Dmitry Tursunov of Russia 7-6 (7), 7-6 (2) with an ace on match point.

Murray had 47 of the 99 unforced errors during the nearly three-hour match in the 80-plus-degree heat of the Southern California desert. The third set featured six service breaks, with Murray taking the last two.

"It was that sort of match where at no stage did either of us play well at the same time," Murray said. "There wasn't one period where I thought the level of tennis from both of us was high at the same time. That can create a lot of breaks and a lot of sort of back and forth swings in the match."

Vesely staved off two match points with a pair of winners. But the Czech double-faulted to set up Murray's third match point and he netted a forehand volley to end his upset bid.

"Until 4-2 in both sets, second and third, I was playing good without any mistakes," Vesely said. "But then I always got a little bit tight. That was maybe the one thing that was painful then in the end." 

Roger Federer (SUI) in his third round match against Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, Mar 10, 2014. Federer won 7-6, 7-6. [Photo/Agencies]

Federer has regained some of the momentum that eluded him last year, when he won just one title. Last week, he won the tournament in Dubai with victories against Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych. At the Australian Open, the former world No 1 earned wins over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Murray before losing to Rafael Nadal.

"I feel different this year," Federer said. "Now I feel like I'm in a good place. Zen on the court. Even if I won 6 and 6 today, I just feel like I was calm. Those are the moments where you feel there is confidence around somewhere."