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Patna : World No 2 Rafael Nadal, 32, Spain, and World No 4 Roger Federer, 37, Switzerland, will clash in the semi-finals of ATP Indian Wells Masters played on hard courts at California, USA, on March 17, 2019. Nadal leads Federer 23-15 head to head. Federer had, however, defeated Nadal in their last five meetings. At Indian Wells, Federer leads Nadal 2-1. Federer has won the Indian Wells singles title 5 times while Nadal has won it 3 times.
Nadal edged past World No 13 Karen Khachanov, 22, Russia, 7-6, 7-6 in 2 hr 16 minutes in the quarter-finals on March 16, 2019, coming from behind in both the sets to enter the semi-finals despite knee injury. Khachanow had taken 3-1 lead in the first set and 2-1 lead in the second set. But, Nadal broke back in both the sets and took the match to tie-breaks in both the sets and won them easily. Nadal now leads Khachanov 6-0.
Khachanov though hammered 17 Aces in the match to just 1 by Nadal. Nadal committed three double faults to 1 by Khachanov. Both the players won 2 break points each. But, Nadal’s winning percentage on both his first and second serve (76% & 61%) was much better than that of Khachanov ( 68% & 47%). Nadal won 3 games in a row in the match to 2 by Khachanov. Nadal won 57 service points to 56 by Khachanov indicating how close the contest was.
Federer beat World No 67 Hubert Hurkacz, 22, Poland, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals on March 15, 2019, late night, to reach the semi-finals. Federer broke Hurkacz’s service twice in the match besides winning three games in a row. Hurkacz though fired 6 Aces to 4 by Federer. But, he also committed 4 double faults to 3 by Federer. Federer won 43 service points to 38 by Hurkacz. Federer’s winning percentage on both his first and second serve ( 87% & 64 %) was much better than that of Hurkacz ( 73% & 55 %).
World No 8 Dominic Thiem, 25, Australia, will face World No 14 Milaos Raonic, 28, Canada, in the first semi-finals on March 16, 2019, late night.