Indian Wells (California): World No.2 Rafael Nadal would face off against the 16-times Grand Slam winner Roger Federer in the semis of the BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells as the Spaniard overcame Argentine David Nalbandian in the quarters in three sets.

Nadal dropped his first set of the tournament as Nalbandian took the first set but the two-time champion here came back well and took the match Friday 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Nadal opened up a 5-2 lead in the third set, but Nalbandian recovered one break and threatened to draw level with two break point chances in the 10th game. The Spaniard stepped up to win the final four points, closing the match with a drop shot after two hours and 39 minutes.

The 25-year-old reached the semi-final stage of the tournament for a seventh straight time. He won the title in 2007 and 2009, and finished runner-up to Novak Djokovic last year.

Meanwhile, the Swiss maestro ended another Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro's run in the tournament with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory.

Federer was in sublime form as he took just 69 minutes to dispose of the World No.9.

Nadal and Federer will be clashing for the 28th time overall. The Spaniard holds an 18-9 record against Federer in the career series, including a win in their most recent meeting two months ago in the Australian Open semi-finals.

By Indian Sports News Network