The Jerusalem Post

Despite taking nearly a full month off to recharge her batteries, Shahar Pe'er showed little signs of rust so far at the prestigious Indian Wells tournament in California.

Pe'er, who climbed to No. 20 in the world after reaching the semifinals in Dubai last month, has continued her superb year.

After a bye in the first round, Pe'er earned a 6-2, 6-3 victory over American wild-card Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the second round. In the third round, she faced world No. 12 Flavia Pennetta, who had won all three of her previous meetings with Pe'er. The Israeli pulled out the match with a three-set victory, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-1.

Pe'er faces the No. 6 in the world, Jalena Jankovic, in the round of 16.

Dudi Sela claimed his biggest win of the year in round two at Indian Wells, beating world No. 17 Radek Stepanek 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 to advance to the third round.

The 24-year-old Israeli, currently ranked at No. 72 in the world, hadn't beaten a top-20 player in nearly nine months, but dominated Stepanek in the third and decisive set and wrapped up the win after one hour and 45 minutes.

Next up for Sela, who had lost five consecutive matches before arriving in California, is a third-round meeting with Spaniard Tommy Robredo (23).

Despite being one of the more consistent players on the ATP Tour, Robredo, who has been ranked among the top 25 players for more than five straight years, has actually lost to Sela in all three of their previous career meetings, including the third round of Wimbledon last year.

If Sela gets the better of Robredo once more, he will likely face Roger Federer in the last 16.