No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who lost to Djokovic in last year’s semifinals of the desert tournament, advanced with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Dmitry Tursunov. Nadal’s powerful groundstrokes kept the Russian off-balance and on the run, and Tursunov had troubles of his own, making 37 unforced errors.
Djokovic, a 21-year-old Serb who also made the final two years ago, 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.
Afterward, Djokovic said his game was better than in his opening match, a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Martin Vassallo.
“I’m still finding the rhythm and everything,” he said. “I don’t want to put an extra pressure on myself.
“I’m playing a very solid game for now and saving lots of energy and being focused, not underestimating my opponents and going step by step. The game, for now, it’s quite fine.”
Last year after beating Nadal in the semis, Djokovic defeated Mardy Fish in the championship match. Djokovic lost just one set the entire tournament, that against Fish.
Djokovic also didn’t drop a set two years ago on his way to the final two years ago, when 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.
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