Novak Djokovic Beats Rafael Nadal To Remain On Track For Another Indian Wells Win
World number one Novak Djokovic will face Milos Raonic in the final as he bids to win a fifth title at Indian Wells.
Two-time defending BNP Paribas Open champion Novak Djokovic is on track to complete a three-peat after overcoming Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals.
Djokovic fended off a set point in the opener before the world number one eventually prevailed 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 at Indian Wells on Saturday.
Despite tallying 29 unforced errors against the three-time former champion in just under two hours, Djokovic will now meet Milos Raonic in the final as he bids to win a fifth Paribas Open title.
Facing off against each other for the 48th time - an Open Era record on the ATP Tour - fourth seed Nadal made the early running against Djokovic, opening the match with an easy hold before breaking the Serb in the second game.
The break, a rarity for Nadal having only managed to do so once in 54 previous matches against Djokovic on hard courts, was short-lived as the 11-time grand-slam champion put the match back on serve.
It remained that way until the tie-break, after Djokovic saved a set point in the 10th game, which proved decisive as the 28-year-old won the final two points to close out the set, having surrendered a 5-2 lead.
The pair continued to go toe-to-toe in the second set, but a forehand into the net saw Djokovic break for a 4-2 lead.
Nadal was unable to hit back like he did against Alexander Zverev in the fourth round after saving a match point, with Djokovic breaking again in the eighth game as he moved a step closer to a record-equalling 27th ATP 1000 crown.