INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Defending champion Novak Djokovic downed Tommy Haas 6-2, 7-6(1) in their third-round match today at the BNP Paribas Open.

A 21-year-old Serb who also made the final two years ago, Djokovic served well and hit crisp, accurate groundstrokes to beat the 30-year-old Haas.

Djokovic served eight aces, double faulted once and made 10 unforced errors. Haas had once ace, double faulted six times and made 25 unforced errors.

Last year, Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in the semifinals and beat Mardy Fish in the championship match. Djokovic lost just one set the entire tournament, that against Fish.

Djokovic also didn't drop a set on his way to the final two years ago, but Nadal beat him 6-2, 7-5 for the title.

Ranked No. 3, Djokovic lost to Nadal and David Ferrer earlier this month in Davis Cup play. Both those matches were on clay.

Djokovic won his last tournament, defeating Ferrer in their final in Dubai for his first title of the year.

American John Isner, a wild card, advanced with another upset, downing former No. 1 and current No. 24 Marat Safin 6-4, 6-4.

The 6-foot-9 Isner earlier eliminated ninth-seeded Gael Monfils 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4.

Dinara Safina, ranked No. 2 and the women's top seed, defeated Jill Craybas 7-5, 6-4. No. 6 Vera Zvonareva ousted Li Na 6-4, 6-4.