Argentina-based ethnic Armenian David Nalbandian faced the 10th-seeded Janko Tipsarevic in the third round of BNP Paribas Open, ongoing in Indian Wells, California.

Nalbandian survived a back-and-forth three setter as he got past Tipsarevic in one hour and 55 minutes on Tuesday, March 13 night. A close contest saw one break decide every set. Nalbandian seized it in the opening frame of play before serving it out at 5-3. Tipsarevic did the same in the second to force a decider.

The decisive break did not come until Nalbandian's final return game. The 30-year-old Argentine struck for a 5-3 advantage then finished off the proceedings on serve at love. Nalbandian double-faulted three times and served at just 48 percent, but his ball-striking once again saw him through.

The world No. 74 will go up against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) in the fourth round, tennistalk.com reported.