INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Even for the sport’s best, any success against top-ranked Novak Djokovic — however relative — must be appreciated.
In the 48th installment of one of the longest rivalries in men’s tennis, Djokovic dispatched Rafael Nadal, 7-6 (5), 6-2, on Saturday in the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open. Djokovic withstood an inspired start from the fifth-ranked Nadal before ultimately pulling away for his 25th victory over the 14-time Grand Slam champion. He will face 14th-ranked Milos Raonic in the final on Sunday.
Though Nadal has now lost six straight matches and 13 straight sets to Djokovic, this match still represented progress.