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

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.
Rafael Nadal ➡️ Quarter-finals
The Spaniard defeats Krajinovic 6-3 6-4 for match win No.53 at @BNPPARIBASOPEN#BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/KlEFRgKUnr
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 13, 2019
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.
R3: 59 mins v Wawrinka
R4: 63 mins v Edmund@rogerfederer races into the quarter-finals with a 6-1 6-4 victory ⚡️#BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/7JFINGvaYD— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 13, 2019
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.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
In search of the next Andy Murray: Leo Azevedo explains his philosophy
-
Indian Wells Masters: Facts and figures about the joint ATP-WTA event
-
-
Quiz! Test your knowledge on the history of the Indian Wells Masters
-
A to Z of tennis for February: A ‘disrespectful’ Nick Kyrgios and an ‘inhuman’ Novak Djokovic
-
Latest
-
Tennis News
Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals what it means to be ‘In Flow’
Stefanos Tsitsipas said: ‘It felt like I was in a cage and someone decided to unlock the cage and I suddenly felt free.’
-
Australian Open
Australian Open triumph sweetened by Aryna Sabalenka’s semi-final heartache
The Belarusian is the first grand slam singles champion playing under a neutral flag.
-
Tennis News
Elena Rybakina rues missed chances in Australian Open final defeat
Elena Rybakina was the first woman to take a set off Aryna Sabalenka this season but couldn’t match her intensity for two and a half hours.
-
Australian Open
Aryna Sabalenka dedicates Australian Open trophy to her ‘crazy’ team
Aryna Sabalenka says her team deserve the Australian Open trophy more than she does.
-
Australian Open
Aryna Sabalenka proves doubters wrong with emotional Grand Slam triumph
Aryna Sabalenka found another level to win brutal Australian Open final.
-
Tennis News
Aryna Sabalenka goes from underarm serving and 428 double faults in 2022 to mentality monster
Aryna Sabalenka has gone from underarm serving to coming up clutch in big moments.
-
Australian Open
Aryna Sabalenka powers her way to Australian Open title with impressive win over Elena Rybakina
Aryna Sabalenka is a Grand Slam champion!
-
Australian Open
Elena Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov under fire: ‘I hope she finds a coach who speaks and treats her with respect’
Stefano Vukov hasn’t made too many friends with his behaviour during matches.
-
Australian Open
Third time lucky for Alfie Hewett as he sets sights on being ‘figurehead’ for wheelchair tennis
The 25-year-old from Norfolk won his maiden Australian Open wheelchair singles title.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic’s family ‘upset’ over flag uproar as Australian Open chief urges them ‘to be really careful’
“The family were very good. They were upset that it was taken that way.”