LOS ANGELES, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are set to renew their rivalry when they meet in the semifinals of Indian Wells after both advanced to the penultimate stage on Friday.
Federer progressed in straight sets after he swept past Poland's Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 6-4 with relative ease but Nadal had a much tougher time in dismissing Russia's Karen Khachanov.
The Spanish world No. 2 triumphed in identical tie-breaks 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) but was forced to tape up his knee in the second set.
Nadal, who has a record 33 Masters titles, has won the Indian Wells champion three times.
Federer, a five-time Indian Wells champion, last played Nadal in the 2017 Shanghai final in a run of five consecutive victories in their detailed rivalry. And Nadal, the 11-time French Open champion, leads the overall head-to-head record by 23-15.
