• BNP Paribas Open

Nadal powers into last four

Rafael Nadal's public celebrations show what this tournament means to him © Getty Images

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Rafael Nadal looks more determined with every match to defend his title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, and Tomas Berdych became his latest victim late on Thursday after a 6-4 7-6(4) win.

Berdych actually holds a decent record over Nadal, having beaten him three times out of nine previous meetings, and he gave the world No. 3 another strong test in this quarter-final.

Nadal is approaching his best form though, and simply had more big shots at better moments, particularly with his forehand down the line which was brutally damaging in this match.

It was a match for the baseline purists, as the players rallied their way to over two hours of tennis despite the straight sets result. One Berdych service game in the first set lasted for 15 minutes, and the match featured five service breaks as Nadal battled to victory.

Nadal, who celebrated with a Jo-Wilfried Tsonga-style dance after the completion of the match, spoke of his pleasure at progressing to the last four in a tournament he is the highest-ranked survivor in.

"It was a very important victory for me," Nadal said. "The conditions are always very nice here and it's amazing me for this feeling."

Ivan Ljubicic turned back the clock to progress into Nadal's semi-final sights, beating Juan Monaco 4-6 6-2 6-1. The Croatian turned 31 just hours after his quarter-final triumph, but he handled the hot conditions the better to stage an emphatic come-from-behind victory.

Monaco didn't get a look-in on Ljubicic's serve after converting his only break point to make it 4-2 in the first set, and the veteran was winning an incredible two-thirds of points and dropped just nine on his serve for the rest of the contest.

Ljubicic has an especially strong record at this event, where he feels the conditions suit his power service game. He may need more than minimal air friction on his side when he meets Nadal, but he was delighted to get as far as the last four.

"It doesn't matter how old are you, it's all about motivation," said the former World No. 3. "For me, it's much easier than it was in 2007. That was a really difficult year for me mentally. It was very, very hard. So I feel really motivated now, nothing to prove to anybody. I just feel like I'm playing for myself again as I was doing at beginning of my career, and I'm enjoying every good result that I do."

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