Serb Novak Djokovic moved relentlessly into the Indian Wells semi-finals on Friday,setting up a mouth-watering clash in the last four with Roger Federer for the Swiss world number twos ranking.
Third-ranked Djokovic and three-times Indian Wells champion Federer will compete for a spot in the final of the elite ATP Masters 1000 event. Djokovic extended his perfect record this season to 16-0 with a 6-2,6-4 quarter-final victory over Frenchman Richard Gasquet while Federer brushed aside fellow Swiss and doubles partner Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3,6-4.
Winning streak
The 23-year-old Serb claimed his second Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open in January and his 20th ATP title at last months Dubai championships. He is on a career-best 18-match win streak dating back to last years Davis Cup final.
Federer improved his win-loss record this season to 18-3 after a commanding display against Wawrinka,registering his eighth victory over his compatriot in nine meetings. Federer is on course for a double after he partnered Wawrinka later in the day to get past the Spanish pair of Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez 7-5,6-3 in the semi-finals.
Bartoli,Wozniacki in final
On the womens side,top seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and 15th-seeded Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli advanced smoothly to the final of the Indian Wells WTA tournament with commanding victories. Wozniacki outslugged Russian Maria Sharapova from the baseline 6-1,6-2 after Bartoli had shrugged off the lingering effects of a stomach bug with a 6-1,6-3 demolition of Belgian Yanina Wickmayer.