Serena Williams records straight sets win over Stephens as Sharapova loses in fourth round at Indian Wells

World number one women's tennis star Serena Williams overcame a slow start to beat Sloane Stephens in straight sets in the fourth round at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells on Tuesday, extending her winning streak to 14 matches.

Williams, who returned to Indian Wells after 14 years, having been racially abused by spectators during her title win over Kim Clijsters in 2001, beat Stephens 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 in the fourth round.

Meanwhile, Russian tennis ace and world number two Maria Sharapova struggled mightily, losing 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to defending champion Flavia Pennetta, who won her ninth straight match after becoming emotional and leaving the court in the first set, ABC News reported.

Moreover, in the men's division four-time Indian Wells champion Roger Federer defeated Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-4, avenging his third-round loss to Seppi at the Australian Open.

Federer said that it absolutely was an opportunity right away to play Seppi again and sort of erase it to some extent from the memory as the season moves forward, adding that it was one of those matches one is happy that they are through, and he was happy it was over.

Pennetta was happy to advance after working through her emotions, saying that she let everything out, screaming, do something.

Meanwhile, Williams committed 52 unforced errors and had nine double faults to go with 13 aces and 31 winners in the up-and-down match played in the heat. She said that she is just trying to find her bearings, adding that little off this week, but she insisted that she is just happy to be there.

Williams claimed that the crowd has been really great, adding that it has been really relaxing there and she just feels that she doesn't want to leave.