Ruthless Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer stay on Indian Wells collision course

ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal backhand

Novak Djokovic may be out, but Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are still looking good at the BNP Parisbas Open.

Five-time champion Djokovic’s campaign was halted by Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round, but his two rivals have safely navigated their way into the Indian Wells Masters quarter-finals.

One more win for Nadal and Federer and they will come up against each in the semi-final.

Nadal was first in action and he made light work of Filip Krajinovic, winning 6-3, 6-4 in under an hour and a half.

The Spaniard broke twice in the first set and once in the second, although the Serb did manage to break Nadal’s serve in the first set.

“I probably played a little bit worse today than yesterday. Maybe because of the conditions, [it was] windier out there today,” the 17-time Grand Slam winner said. “But in general terms [it’s] been a positive victory again. Happy the way I played.”

Next up is Paris Masters champion Karen Khachanov, who beat American John Isner 6-4, 7-6 (7-1).

Federer, meanwhile, won his first-ever clash against Kyle Edmund, coming out on top of the 6-1, 6-4 scoreline in one hour and three minutes.

The five-time champion will face Hubert Hurkacz in the quarters after the Pole upset Denis Shapovalov packing 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3.

“I hope I can get there,” the Swiss said, “but I’m not going to underestimate Hubert.”

Seventh seed Dominic Thiem ended 40-year-old Ivo Karlovic’s brilliant run as the Austrian won 6-4, 6-3 and he will face Gael Monfils for a place in the semi-final after the Frenchman demolished Djokovic’s conqueror Kohlschreiber 6-0, 6-2.

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