Rafael Nadal beats old rival Roger Federer at Indian Wells

Zeenews Sports Bureau

Indian Wells: Former world number 1 Rafael Nadal can now deem his comeback complete as he beat old rival and current world number 2 Roger Federer in straight sets to advance to the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open. Meeting each other at this relatively early stage is unfamiliar territory for the duo who have competed in epic Grand Slam finals against each other, but the quarter final tie was Nadal’s biggest challenge since he made his comeback from a serious knee injury that had seen him sidelined for almost 8 months until early last month when he started gingerly. But the Spaniard showed signs of his imperious regality as he swept aside the Swiss maestro 6-4 6-2 within an hour and 25 minutes. A resurgent Nadal has extended his impressive head-to-head record against Federer and the stats now stand at 18 wins and 11 losses for Rafa. Nadal will now take on world number 6 Berdych who beat Anderson 6-4 6-4 to get set up the match. Meanwhile, the other side of the draw is getting intriguingly exciting as well. Murray and Del Potro will first face off in one quarter final and the winner will get to take on either Tsonga or Djokovic who will, in turn, take on each other in the other quarter final.