INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Roger Federer defeated Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-3 at the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday in a fourth-round match that saw the longtime rivals meeting much earlier in a tournament than usual.
Federer broke Nadal four times in advancing to the quarterfinals in just over an hour. Although Nadal owns a 23-13 lead in their series, Federer has won the past three in a row, including an epic comeback in the Australian Open final two months ago.
Federer broke Nadal to open the match in front of a packed Stadium 1 crowd. Federer faced just one break point on his serve in the match, but he recovered with a big serve and two winning backhands to go up 2-0 in the first set.
"The main thing he take the break in the first game, and I had break point in the next game and come back and he had a good serve," Nadal said. "When Roger has the advantage, his serve is so good, he has a lot of confidence with his serve, he's able to play much more relaxed."
Nadal wasn't too shabby either, serving three love games. But Federer's shotmaking was superb, frequently kissing the lines off both sides.
