Rafael Nadal beat a top-10 player for the first time this year as he saw off Kei Nishikori to reach the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals in Indian Wells.
Fourth seed Nadal, the champion in 2007, 2009 and 2013, won 6-4 6-3 against Japan's world number seven.
The Spaniard will face world number one Novak Djokovic, who beat seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-2).
"I beat a top-10 player and that is something that is important for my confidence," said Nadal, 29.
"I feel I am strong mentally and I have the right energy.