Federer outplays long-time rival Rafa Nadal

Saturday's second semi-final was delayed by three-and-a-half hours because of steady rain before Federer and Nadal came out for their heavily anticipated showdown, the Swiss dominating before sealing victory in one hour, 31 minutes.

Serving for the match at 5-4 and 40-30, Federer was briefly held up by a light sprinkling of rain before he powered down a 125 mph ace, his sixth in all, to book his place in the final.

"I just had a good day," 16-times grand slam champion Federer said in a courtside interview after winning 38 of his 40 matches since last year's US Open. "Another great match in tough conditions.

"We both expected rain in the match and it did rain a few times. I couldn't be more happy. I have played amazing against Rafa. He is a great champion."

Watched by a near-capacity crowd in chilly conditions, third seed Federer broke twice winner Nadal in the second game of the match, ending a riveting exchange with an overhead forehand smash to lead 2-0.

However, the Spanish left-hander broke back in the fifth when the Swiss netted a forehand after the two players had treated the crowd to a sequence of absorbing rallies with superbly angled shots.

Federer regained control by breaking second-seeded Nadal in the ninth when the Spaniard's backhand floated long and he served out to love in the 10th, clinching first set in 42 minutes with a forehand drop shot.

Oozing confidence and moving in typically elegant style, Federer again broke Nadal in the third game of the second after the Spaniard double-faulted to trail 0-40 before dumping a backhand into the net.

Nadal was also broken in the seventh, again double-faulting for 30-40 and then sending a backhand well wide after a protracted rally.

Serving for the match at 5-2, the Swiss surprisingly failed to hold as his opponent struck successive forehand winners after moving Federer from side to side with penetrating baseline shots.

Nadal held serve for 4-5 and Federer came from 15-30 down in the 10th to beat his rival for a 10th time in 28 meetings.

Two-time winner Rafa Nadal was facing three-time champion Roger Federer for a 28th time in today's semi-finals, in the pair's first ever meeting at Indian Wells ATP tournament.

Federer and Nadal won their quarter-final matches on Friday to set up an enticing last four showdown.

Federer booked his place in the semi-finals with a ruthless 6-3 6-2 victory over big-serving Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina before Nadal fought back to beat David Nalbandian, also of Argentina, 4-6 7-5 6-4.