Nadal wins battle of grand slam champs in the desert

INDIAN WELLS, California – Lured by the anticipation of another duel between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, fans packed the main stadium at the BNP Paribas Open on a sultry evening in the desert.

After all, it was the first time in ATP Tour history that two players with 28 Grand Slam titles between them were meeting up.

What resulted, however, wasn’t vintage Nadal vs Federer.

With Nadal recovering from a left knee injury that knocked him out for seven months and Federer nursing a delicate back, they produced something less than classic Thursday night.

Capitalizing on Federer’s errors, Nadal won their quarterfinal, 6-4, 6-2, in the earliest meeting between the rivals since they first played each other in 2004.

“I played a fantastic first set,” Nadal said. “The second set was strange. Roger didn’t fight as usual. Probably he had some problems and he didn’t feel enough comfortable to keep fighting.”

Nadal needed barely 1 1/2 hours to close out the defending champion in their 29th career meeting and the first in a quarterfinal. Nadal faced just two break points on his serve in the match.

“Two weeks ago I didn’t know if I can be here, and tomorrow I will be in semifinals here,” Nadal said. “But it is a big surprise for me to have these results. I was able to practice just a little before the comeback. Important thing is be healthy. And if that happens and I’m able to practice as much as I can, as much as I want, probably that the comeback will be a little bit less difficult, no?”

Nadal and Federer usually don’t play each other until the semifinals and finals of tournaments, but the Indian Wells draw pitted them against each other in their earliest meeting since a third-round match at Miami nine years ago.

“You miss these moments this whole time, but play against Roger in any moment in any situation is special,” Nadal said.

Nadal returned to the tour a month ago, winning two of three tournaments on clay after missing seven months because of a left knee injury. He had his knee wrapped and at times appeared to have a slight limp.

“No question, he’s a bit careful at times, his movement. That’s totally normal,” Federer said. “Hasn’t played for some time on hard court. I don’t know if it’s careful or if it’s just getting used to it again.”

Federer, at 31 the oldest player left in the draw, tweaked his back earlier in the tournament.

“I’m happy to be out there and able to compete, but it’s obviously a small issue,” he said. “That doesn’t work against guys like Rafa, obviously.”