Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will face each other for the first time since 2017 in the semi-finals at Indian Wells after winning their respective quarter-finals on Friday (Mar 15). Swiss fourth seed Federer, 37, eased past Poland's Hubert Hurkacz 6-4 6-4. Spanish second seed Nadal, 32, required treatment on his right knee during a tough 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-2) victory over Russia's Karen Khachanov.
It's Federer vs. Nadal again, only this time it'll be in the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open.
Roger Federer beat Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 6-4 and Rafael Nadal got by Karen Khachanov 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) on Friday to set up the old rivals' 39th career meeting and first in 16 months.
Neither Federer nor Nadal has dropped a set in four matches in the desert. Federer has been broken just once, while Nadal has dropped serve three times, twice against Khachanov.
Nadal stands in the way of Federer's pursuit of a record sixth title at Indian Wells.
The two greats last played in the final of the Shanghai Masters in October 2017, when Federer won in straight sets.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion has won each of their last five matches but Nadal leads 23-15 in their head-to-head record.
