Novak Djokovic dominated both tiebreakers to beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) at the BNP Paribas Open on Friday, setting up a semifinal against Rafael Nadal featuring two players who own a combined seven titles in the California desert.
Nadal defeated Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-3, connecting on 89 percent of his first serves in the match played in 91-degree (32 C) heat under a relentless sun. Nadal is a three-time winner at Indian Wells.
Serena Williams rallied after squandering a 3-0 lead in the second set to beat Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 7-6 (1) and reach the final for the first time since 2001, when she won and then boycotted the event for 14 years until returning last year.
In Sunday's final, Williams will take on Victoria Azarenka, who advanced with a 7-6 (1), 1-6, 6-2 win over Karolina Pliskova.