INDIAN WELLS, Calif., March 16 (UPI) -- Roger Federer won the 250th Masters series match of his career Friday while reaching the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open.
Federer, ranked third in the world, sailed by Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 6-2 to create a semifinal matchup with old rival and world No. 2 Rafael Nadal.
Nadal rallied to defeat David Nalbandian in the day's second quarterfinal match 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.
Federer and Nadal will meet for the 28th time Saturday, with Nadal holding an 18-9 advantage. Nadal has won 10 of their last 13 meetings, including their only confrontation in 2012, in the semifinals of the Australian Open.
Federer will play in the semifinals at Indian Wells for the seventh time in nine years. The 250 victories in Masters series matches is an ATP Tour record.
After saving two break points in the first game of the match Friday, Federer dominated. He had six break chances against del Potro and converted three of them, needing just 69 minutes to advance.
Saturday's other semifinal will find world No. 1 Novak Djokovic taking on John Isner. Djokovic is 2-0 against Isner with both those matches having been played in 2010.
