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Summary Rafael Nadal handed Roger Federer one of his two losses since last year's U.S. Open.
Rafael Nadal outlasted David Nalbandian 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the BNP Paribas Open on Friday to set up a semifinal showdown against rival Roger Federer, a rematch of their Australian Open semifinal.Federer had an easier time in his quarterfinal, beating Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 6-2 in just more than an hour for his fourth victory over the Argentine this year.Nadal, ranked second in the world, handed third-ranked Federer one of his two losses since last years U.S. Open when he beat the Swiss star in the Australian Open in January.They will play Saturday, when rain and wind is forecast to move into the Coachella Valley, spoiling the sun and warm temperatures that have prevailed during the two-week tournament.I play always against Roger means a little bit more than against the rest of the opponents because I am playing probably against the best of the history, Nadal said, so thats why it makes the match a little bit more special than the rest.
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