Spanish star Rafael Nadal and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic remained on course on Wednesday for a mouth-watering BNP Paribas Open semi-final in Indian Wells, California, while Swiss Stan Wawrinka exited in a match he described as a no-brainer.
In the women’s singles, Serena Williams dethroned defending champion Simona Halep in straight sets to set up a semi-final showdown between the world No. 1 and 2.
World No. 5 Nadal survived a scare from Alexander Zverev, rallying to beat the German teenager 6-7 (8/10), 6-0, 7-5 and reach the quarter-finals.
Two-time defending champion Djokovic cruised into the quarters by beating Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-3, but French Open champion Stan Wawrinka bit the dust in the joint ATP and WTA Tour tournament.
Nadal, who saved a match point in the third set, said he had to adjust quickly to 18-year-old Zverev’s style, especially the German’s second serve.
“With his second serve at 120mph [193kph], with a lot of spin and at 124, 123, 120mph, it was impossible,” Nadal said. “If he puts the first serve in at over 130mph then you are in big trouble. So I think that I’m here, and still alive.”
Indeed, Zverev had the 14-time Grand Slam champion Nadal on the ropes for much of Wednesday’s two-and-a-half hour contest.
Following the match, the Spaniard predicted great things for the teen.
“He is amazingly talented. He is probably going to be the No. 1 in the world,” Nadal said after their first career meeting.
Nadal moves on to face Kei Nishikori of Japan, who rallied to beat American John Isner 1-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5).
Djokovic will battle seventh seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who beat Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-2.
Wawrinka was sent crashing out of the event in the fourth round by David Goffin.
“It was a match without a brain,” said Wawrinka, who lost 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5) to 15th seed Goffin.
Wawrinka had his serve broken seven times after dropping his serve just once in his previous two matches at Indian Wells.
Williams reached just her second semi in 15 years by beating Halep 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday.
“She’s a dangerous player,” Williams said of Halep. “She knows what it takes to beat the best player, so I knew I had to play as best as I could.”
Williams advances to face Agnieszka Radwanska, who has never beaten Williams in nine career matches.
Fifth seeded Halep was the one who helped spoil Williams’ much-anticipated return to the WTA and ATP Tour tournament last year, winning their semi-final in a walkover after Williams pulled out right before the match with a knee injury.
Halep went on to beat Jelena Jankovic in the final.
It was all Williams on Wednesday as the 21-time Grand Slam winner played as if she had something to prove, blasting six aces and winning 80 percent of her first-serve points.
“Feels good to get that win,” Williams said. “I had to buckle down.”
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