The Swiss defeated Nadal 6-2 6-3 in the 36th meeting between the pair. It marked the first time Federer had recorded three consecutive wins over the Spaniard.
Federer, who got the better of his Spanish rival in a thrilling five-setter at the Australian Open final in January, broke Nadal’s serve to open the match then survived a break point to hold with a backhand winner down the line for 2-0.
The Swiss then took a 4-1 lead before sealing the set and continued to press in the second, keeping Nadal on his heels.
“It's a nice feeling to win the last three, I can tell you that,” Federer told reporters. “After the Australian hype, to play here in America right away, all of them are very special. Obviously can't celebrate too long this time around. I have to get back to work in a couple of days.”
In other matches, third seed Stan Wawrinka overcame Yoshihito Nishioka 3-6 6-3 7-6(4), Austria’s Dominic Thiem defeated Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-3 6-2, and Japan’s Kei Nishikori beat Donald Young 6-2 6-4.
Jack Sock defeated Malek Jaziri in three sets while Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas upset 11th-seed David Goffin 6-3 3-6 6-3.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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