Nadal, Djokovic Advance At 2010 Indian Wells BNP Paribas Open

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Nadal On His Way To Second Consecutive BNP Paribas Open Title

The stars are aligning for Rafael Nadal at the 2010 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The Spaniard is through to the semis after beating Tomas Berdych from Czech Republic in two straight sets 64 76. Nadal will look to get one step closer to his third overall and second consecutive title at BNP Paribas Open when he plays No. 20 seeded Croatian Ivan Ljubicic in the semifinal on Saturday, March 20. Ljubicic will look to impede Nadal after a striking victory over No.2 seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

Rafael Nadal had a disappointing season start marred by a knee injury that forced his to withdraw from Australian Open in January. Of course, BNP Paribas audience won't be treated to one of those much awaited Nadal-Federer finals. Federer went out early on, losing to No. 27 seeded Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus on Tuesday.

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Andy Murray of Great Britain and Robin Soderling, Sweden, will battle it out for a trip to the semifinals. The two are well matched in rankings, with Murray being No.4 and Soderling No.6 heading into the tournament. Despite being three years younger that Soderling at 22, Andy Murray already has experience playing in BNP Paribas Open finals. He faced Rafael Nadal in 2009, losing 6–1, 6–2. The other men's quarterfinal set for today is between Tommy Robredo of Spain and the only American man left in the competition Andy Roddick. Robredo-Roddick quarterfinal is not as well matched rankings wise. Robredo is ranked 18th, while Roddick maintains No. 7 world rank position. But, as recent matches involving Djokovic and Federer have shown, second-tier players are very well capable of eliminating top players at this year's tournament.

Jankovic Through To The Finals

On the women's side, former world No.1 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia is regaining her strength after failing to reach the finals of any major Grand Slam tournaments in 2009. Jankovic is through to 2010 BNP Paribas Open finals after beating Samantha Stosur of Australia 62 64.

The semifinal between Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark is set later today. None of the two women have ever reached the finals of BNP Paribas Open. Jankovic will meet with Radwanska-Wozniacki semifinal winner on Sunday, March 21.

Sisters Williams of the United States have been boycotting the tournament since 2001 after allegations of match setting.