In a meeting between past Pacific Life Open finalists, American James Blake got the better of Spaniard Carlos Moya, 6-3, 6-4 on Monday in Indian Wells to secure his place in the fourth round.

Blake, the 2006 runner-up to Roger Federer, broke 1999 finalist Moya for the fourth time to go up 5-4 in the second set, and then served out the victory in 75 minutes, punctuating the decision with a backhand winner down the line on match point.

It marked a special win for World No. 9 Blake, who posted his first career victory against Moya here in 2003 when the Spaniard was ranked fifth in the world.

“Getting the win was something I was proud of,” said Blake, who evened the career series against Moya at 6-6. “This was the first place I ever beat him. That held a lot of memories for me because he was a guy that beat me a couple of times early in my career, and I wondered if I'd ever get over that hump and be able to play a top player like him. To beat him here when I felt like I was I was playing really well the first time was a big stepping stone in my career.”

Blake takes a 0-2 career record into his next match against World No. 8 Richard Gasquet. The 21-year-old Frenchman trounced Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela in 61 minutes, 6-2, 6-1 to advance to the fourth round at this event for the third straight year. He lost to Roger Federer at this stage in 2006, and to Andy Roddick in '07.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal set up a blockbuster fourth round clash with Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as both advanced with straight sets wins Monday afternoon.

World No. 2 Nadal eased past 18-year-old American wild card Donald Young, 6-1, 6-3, while Tsonga grinded out a 7-6(5), 6-4 win against compatriot Paul-Henri Mathieu in one hour and 48 minutes.

Nadal defeated Tsonga at the 2007 US Open, but became a victim of the Frenchman’s unexpected run to the final at this year’s Australian Open, outmatched in a straight-sets semifinal loss.

“In Australia I had a tough loss, but I'm going to try my best this time and improve,” said Nadal. “It’s going to be important to serve well because he's strong in his serve, and from baseline, try to play a little bit more aggressive than in Australia.”