Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray both lost sets in their Indian Wells openers on Sunday.

Rafael Nadal looked good, not great, in his hardcourt debut while the American youngsters crashed out.

Rafael Nadal makes his return to hardcourts Saturday at Indian Wells while Roger Federer opens his title defense.

Roger Federer got bounced by Julien Benneteau in Rotterdam while Rafael Nadal escaped in Sao Paulo. And Serena Williams won returning her to the No. 1 ranking.

Victoria Azarenka earned a controversial win over teen Sloane Stephens to book her spot in the Australian Open finals where she’ll meet Li Na Saturday. Novak Djokovic raced in the men’s final. He’ll await Friday’s Roger Federer-Andy Murray winner.

“I don’t know how many unforced errors I ended up hitting, but for sure more in one set than I probably did in the whole tournament,” she said. “So I think her level was high. But as for my end, I mean, you can tell. You each can say this is definitely not my best match in months.”

Djokovic, still on track for what would be an Open Era record third Australian Open title in a row, will in the semifinals meet No. 4 seed David Ferrer, who came back from a set down and more to beat fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(4), 6-2.

Two of the “Big 4″ shrugged off the competition on Monday to move into the quarterfinals at the Australian Open when Roger Federer held off Canadian Milos Raonic 6-4, 7-6(7), 6-4, and Andy Murray rolled Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.

Novak Djokovic pulled off a great escape in the fourth round against Stan Wawrinka, overcoming a set and break deficit to defeat the Swiss.

The No. 2-seeded Sharapova looked nearly as dominant as she did in recording two double bagels in the first two rounds, easily bouncing Venus Williams from the event.