Verdasco, Zverev come through openers at Indian Wells

Verdasco, who has battled for form aside from his Australian Open victory over Rafael Nadal, was a 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 victor against Peter Polansky at the ATP 1000 event at Indian Wells.

German teenager Zverev, one of the up-and-comers on tour, overcame Croatia's Ivan Dodig 3-6 7-5 6-3.

With no men's seeds in action, it was up to the qualifiers and wildcards to take their chances. VERDASCO, ZVEREV ADVANCE AS GULBIS CRASHES OUT

Spaniard Verdasco had won just two of his five matches this year heading in, but the left-hander was too strong for Polansky.

He only broke once from nine opportunities but still closed out victory in just over an hour and a half.

Zverev found it a bit tougher against Dodig, who was unlucky and even gave himself a black eye.