Indian Wells, CA, USA, 9 March 2014 | tennis.com.au

Sam Stosur has cruised into the third round of the BNP Parisbas Open at Indian Wells with a comprehensive victory over Francesca Schiavone.

Stosur won 6-2 6-3 in just 61 minutes, setting up a clash with either 20th seed Flavia Pennetta or young American wildcard Taylor Townsend in the round of 32.

The Australian dominated Schiavone in all aspects of the match, including on serve; she pounded six aces and won almost 90 per cent of points on her first serve, as well as winning more than 60 per cent on her second delivery.

The victory takes her career head-to-head against the Italian to 8-4.

Her projected third round meeting with Pennetta would be a trickier prospect – Stosur is yet to defeat Pennetta in four previous meetings.

Hewitt ousted by Anderson

Earlier on Saturday in the Californian desert, Stosur’s compatriot Lleyton Hewitt battled gamely before falling to towering South African Kevin Anderson.

The No.17 needed one hour and 49 minutes to subdue Hewitt 7-6(5) 6-4, advancing to a third round meeting with Russia’s Evgeny Donskoy.

Hewitt had in the previous round beaten fellow Aussie Matt Ebden in three gruelling sets.