World number one Novak Djokovic clinched a comfortable 6-2 6-3 victory over Kevin Anderson to seal his place in the fourth round at Indian Wells.

Djokovic was brutally efficient as he blazed his way through the opening set, taking it 6-2 with Anderson blowing an early chance to break on the top seed’s serve.

Anderson produced a valiant resistance from the back of the court, but Djokovic had too much class and took the second set in similarly comfortable fashion.

It was a victory of consummate ease for the Serb, who will next take on Pablo Andujar, who overcame Albert Ramos of Spain 7-6 6-4, in the last 16.

"It was a very close match," Djokovic said courtside after breaking Anderson in the sixth and eight games to win the opening set in just under an hour.

"The scoreline does not reflect how close it was, especially the style of the match. In most of our matches ... the first set goes on for half an hour or more. I was fortunate to hold that break and I returned well today."

Djokovic, who lost to Anderson when they first met at the 2008 Masters Series event in Miami but won their next three encounters without losing a set, had five aces on Monday while the six-foot eight-inch Anderson delivered seven but the South African won only 41 percent of his second serves.

"This is one of my most successful tournaments," added the Serb, who was champion here in 2008 and again last year. "I love coming back to the desert."

Eurosport