“I thought the rhythm was very high,” said Federer of his match with Kohlschreiber. “We played a lot of tough points. I really thought from my side it was an excellent match.”

Mauresmo will next meet Pennetta, Ivanovic against Stosur, Jankovic against Oudin, and the elder Williams will face Spanish comer Carla Suarez Navarro.

Matches to look for Friday include (2) Roger Federer vs. (27) Philipp Kohlschreiber, (28) Mardy Fish vs. (4) Novak Djokovic, (22) Ivo Karlovic vs. (9) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, (24) Tommy Haas vs. (11) Marin Cilic, (7) Fernando “Hot Sauce” Verdasco vs. (32) Al Montanes, (13) Robin Soderling vs. Nicolas Almagro, and (15) Tommy Robredo vs. Dudi Sela.

“Losses are tough — more here than at any other tournament,” said Sharapova, who with a slow-healing surgically-repaired shoulder chucked in seven double faults in the second set alone. “I would have liked to have a longer season before coming here…It took me a while to get going. It’s a little too late to start picking yourself up when you’re down a set and 3-love.”

Other Top 10-seeded winners were (2) Roger Federer over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-2, 6-4, (7) Fernando Verdasco defeating Kristof Vliegen in four, and (9) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga receiving a walkover against Simone Bolelli.

“It was pretty straightforward,” Williams said. “I really enjoyed being out there. You know, it’s a special moment when you walk back as defending champion on that court, throw those balls up for that first point. It’s a really great feeling.”

“It wasn’t an easy match,” Murray said. “It was difficult. Staying calm was a huge part of winning. He came up with some huge serves when he was down. And sometimes that can get frustrating.”

The action will include a gentlemen’s singles match, a ladies’ singles match, and mixed doubles. All matches will be one set, with a tiebreaker. The telecast will be produced by the BBC, with Andrew Castle and former notable British tennis player John Lloyd on the call.

“Kim Clijsters sent me an email with questions about how to travel and live with a child on the WTA circuit,” said Davenport, who is doing TV commentator for FOX Sports’ coverage of Indian Wells. “So I think she will play WTA tournaments beside exhibition games in Wimbledon and the United States.”

If the Williams sisters were to retire with Davenport as of this writing, the U.S. would have no women in the Top 40, and three players in the Top 100 (including the 30+ Jill Craybas, and Ashley Harkleroad who is pregnant). In other words, by the time the Williams retire, U.S. women’s tennis will virtually retire with them.