World number one Rafael Nadal battled back from losing the first set against 239th-ranked Ivo Karlovic to reach the semi-finals at Indian Wells.
The Spanish top seed clinched a 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (9/7) win on his third match point in the third set tiebreak when the Croatian smacked a forehand long to end the match lasting nearly two-and-a-half hours.
“It was a very tight, difficult match,” said Nadal, a two-time former winner of the tournament. “If you lose a set against Karlovic then you are under pressure for the rest of the match.
“In the third set his serve was unstoppable. In the tiebreaker I was really nervous. For sure it is a big day for me to be in the semi-final.”
Nadal, who will be playing in his sixth consecutive semi-final at the tournament, will play Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro next, who progressed without even taking to the court after Tommy Robredo withdrew with an injury.
Nadal countered the hard-serving Karlovic, who reached a career-high ranking of 14, with some deft backhands, precision passing shots and good footwork on the main stadium court.
Karlovic survived two match points in the tiebreak but then hit a forehand long to give Nadal the win, sparking wild celebrations from the Spaniard, who sprinted across the court, punching the air in delight.
Nadal hammered six aces and won 84 per cent of his second serve points for his fourth career win in four meetings over Karlovic.
“I am disappointed because it was close. It could have gone the other way, my way. But it was a good week so I am happy,” said Karlovic, who blasted 23 aces.
“I have been playing well this week. My play from the back and volleying was really good.”
Del Potro said he was glad to be in the semi-finals and looked forward to locking horns with Nadal again. “We make very good matches before, so I have two days to be better, in good form, and hopefully I can play 100 per cent.”
Robredo’s surprise exit came after the Spaniard injured his left abductor muscle during his fourth-round match against Sam Querrey.
Maria Sharapova set up a last four match with world no.1 Caroline Wozniacki after the 2006 champion battled to a three-set victory over Chinese player Peng Shuai.
Sharapova, seeded 16, looked to be cruising into her first semi-final of the season when she moved 6-2 2-0 ahead but produced three double faults to allow Peng back into the match before prevailing 6-2 5-7 6-3.
“My level dropped in the second set so it was important to stay tough out there,” said the Russian, who hit 15 more errors than her opponent.
“The match wasn’t over until the last point so I just hung in there. I have nothing but great memories from this court – it has been a few years since I won here but I’d love to have that feeling again.”
Wozniacki had an easy passage to the semi-finals after her opponent Victoria Azarenka retired injured when trailing 3-0 in the first set.
Played yesterday: Djokovic beat Gasquet 6-2 6-4.