INDIAN WELLS, Calif., March 12 (UPI) -- Brian Vahaly upset third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, on Wednesday in the second round of the Pacific Life Open.
The 23-year-old Atlanta resident made it into the qualifying draw only after four players withdrew. After reaching the main draw, he eliminated No. 21 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in the first round before posting his first career win over a top-10 player.
"This has been a good tournament for me," said Vahaly, who is 82nd on the ATP Entry Rankings. "I can't believe it. I almost didn't get into qualifying. I was so nervous, I didn't expect to play.
"To go from that, it's all happened so fast. I couldn't be happier."
World No. 1 and defending champion Lleyton Hewitt's appearance in the third round was more expected.
One day after saving three match points in a first-round win over Younes El Aynaoui, the 22-year-old Australian continued his domination of Russia's Yevgeny Kafelnikov with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph- - his seventh in eight career meetings with the two-time Grand Slam champion.
Also, fifth seed Carlos Moya of Spain crushed Arnaud Clement of France, 6-0, 6-2; sixth-seeded American Andy Roddick topped Spain's Feliciano Lopez, 6-4, 6-3; and No. 7 Marat Safin of Russia posted a 6-4, 6-3 win over Australian Mark Philippoussis, who was coming off a runner-up effort last week at Scottsdale.
Ferrero was one of seven seeded players to fall.
Former world No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil upended fourth seed Roger Federer of Switzerland, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3); lucky loser Olivier Rochus of Belgium eliminated eighth seed and reigning French Open champion Albert Costa of Spain, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4; and Argentine Agustin Calleri toppled No. 13 Tim Henman of Britain, last year's finalist, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
In addition, Spain's Tommy Robredo downed No. 14 Sjeng Schalken of the Netherlands, 5-7, 6-2, 6-0, and Guillermo Coria of Argentina routed No. 16 Alex Corretja of Spain.
Also, ninth seed Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic was forced to withdraw from his second round clash against American Robby Genepri due to a bout with viral flu.
"There's been 11 players so far that have complained of that, varying in severity," tournament physician Dr. Sam Reber said. "This appears to be a flu-related virus, not any food-related illness."
On the women's side, two-time champion Lindsay Davenport booked a semifinal showdown with No. 2 Jennifer Capriati or Russian Vera Zvonareva when fifth-seeded French star Amelie Maresemo was forced to withdraw due to an acute throat infection.
"I am very disappointed I will not be able to continue at this year's Pacific Life Open," Mauresmo said in a statement. "I truly enjoyed playing here and I was looking forward to my match against Lindsay."
