Roger Federer feeling confident ahead of renewing Rafael Nadal rivalry

ATP Tour
Roger Federer forehand

Roger Federer appeared in confident mood as he readied himself to renew rivalries with Rafal Nadal at Indian Wells.

The 37-year-old cruised through his quarter-final clash with Hurbert Hurkacz on Friday 6-4, 6-4, and will now face Nadal for the first time in almost two years in the semis.

Unusually, Federer took to the court very early on in the day, but it didn’t seem to hamper him.

“It’s a bit different,” the Swiss told reporters. “They warned me they were going to put me on at 11.00 (a.m.). What can I say? You have no choice.

“I’m very excited to be in the semis here, not that I didn’t expect it. I’m holding serve comfortably, in a good place mentally when I go into my service games.”

Nadal enjoys the best of the head-to-head with Federer having won 23 of their 38 matches to date.

Federer, though, is feeling confident.

“I lot has happened in the past 18 months,” he said. “You can’t just copy and paste and play exactly the same thing again.

“It’s been quite a journey with Rafa side by side.”

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