INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Roger Federer eased into the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Juan Martin del Potro on Friday, the Swiss star’s fourth victory over the Argentine this year.
Federer won in just more than an hour to set up a semifinal against either No. 2 Rafael Nadal or David Nalbandian, who followed him on stadium court in 80-degree conditions at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Rain and wind is forecast to move into the Coachella Valley this weekend, threatening to disrupt play.
Federer, ranked third in the world behind No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Nadal, improved to 37-2 and has won five titles since last year’s U.S. Open. His only losses were to Nadal at the Australian Open and American John Isner, who advanced to the other semifinal against Djokovic.
Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka and Angelique Kerber were to play the first women’s semifinal at night, followed by second-ranked Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic.
