Roger is sympathetic with Rafa after he withdrew from the semifinal in Indian Wells Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were meant to face each other for the 39th time of their fantastic career in Indian Wells, but that didn’t happen since Rafa had to withdraw with a knee injury. Of course, everyone was disappointed by this missed opportunity to see Rafa and Roger clashing again, but it’s completely understandable that especially at this moment of his career, Nadal wants to be cautious. In addition, it’s obvious that he doesn’t want to risk anything just before the clay court season. Federer defending Nadal over retirement When asked about his opinion about Rafa’s decision of not playing the semifinal, Roger commented “If it maybe was the last match of his life, okay, you find a way somehow to just play through it. But this is not this match. He knows his knees too well that he needs to be smart about his decision-making here.” At 37 years of age, the Swiss know this kind of situations far too well.<doc-sep>Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will meet for the 39th time on Saturday With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal set to meet in the semi-finals at Indian Wells, we chart the rivalry and remember some memorable encounters. Nadal leads the head-to-head with Federer 23-15 but the Swiss has won the past five encounters. They have not met since Shanghai in 2017, the same year that Federer crushed his great rival in the fourth round at Indian Wells. Here, we look back at some of their most memorable meetings....... Miami Masters final, 2005 In only their second meeting, Federer came from two sets down on hard court to beat an 18-year-old Nadal. Federer even trailed 5-3 in the third-set tie-break but came roaring back to seal the title and deliver a statement victory. Nadal would go on to win his first French Open two months later. Federer won 2-6 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 6-1 Rome Masters final, 2006 Nadal had won his previous 52 matches on the red sand and was odds-on favourite. Federer, however, pushed him close in the Eternal City, squandering a fifth-set break and two match points in a pulsating encounter. Federer had won all of the three previous Grand Slams but Nadal, ranked world No 2, had established himself as the Swiss' chief rival. Nadal won 6-7 (0-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-5) Did you know... From 2003 to 2014, Nadal and Federer picked up 31 of the available 48 Grand Slam men's singles titles. They are the only pair in the open era to have met eight times in major finals, and they contested every French Open and Wimbledon final from 2006 to 2008. Wimbledon, 2007 In a repeat of the 2006 final, a never-say-die Nadal pushed four-time champion Federer to five sets for the first time in his 34-match winning streak at the All England Club. Federer, who had never lost a match at Wimbledon after winning the first set, was in his absolute pomp, and claimed the crucial first-set tie-break despite Nadal's gallant efforts. But Nadal's blistering passes and serve-and-volley kept him in the match. It was a close contest until Federer claimed a decisive break in the sixth game of the fifth set and had to wipe away the tears as he celebrated equalling Bjorn Borg's five Wimbledon triumphs. Federer won 7-6 (9-7) 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 2-6 6-2 Wimbledon final, 2008 Federer was looking to clinch his 13th career Grand Slam title and sixth straight Wimbledon trophy in one of the most eagerly-anticipated matches of their long rivalry, but Nadal had just thrashed Federer for the loss of just four games in the French Open final and he would beat the Swiss in his own citadel at Wimbledon. Nadal stormed into a two-set lead but Federer surged back, salvaging a fourth-set tie-break, including staving off two championship points, to earn a fifth. A rain delay added to the drama but when they returned it was Nadal that prevailed, breaking at 7-7 before securing his first Wimbledon title. The contest is widely considered to have been the greatest the sport has ever seen. Nadal won 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-7(8-10) 9-7 Australian Open final, 2009 Federer was bidding to win his 14th Grand Slam and equal Sampras' all-time record but Nadal was now No 1 and in with a chance to become Spain's first Australian Open champion. Nadal looked in trouble when his opponent breezed through the fourth set but he found another level in the fifth and Federer was powerless to respond. Nadal became the first man since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001 to win a Grand Slam with five-set victories in the semi-finals and final. An emotional Federer found defeat hard to take, prompting an iconic photograph of Nadal consoling his rival during the trophy ceremony. It remains Nadal's one and only Australian Open title. Nadal won 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-2 French Open, 2011 This was Nadal and Federer's eighth and last meeting in a Grand Slam final and having ended Novak Djokovic's 41-match unbeaten run in the semi-finals, the Swiss was hoping his form would be enough to dethrone Nadal. Nadal reeled off five straight games to take the opener and then capitalised on his momentum and kept his composure in the tie-break to take a commanding two-set lead. A resilient Federer delighted the crowd in a tough third set as he clawed his way back into the match, but he squandered break-point opportunities on Nadal's opening serve in the fourth and from there the tide swiftly turned. Nadal won 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 6-1 Australian Open, 2017 Federer won a record 18th Grand Slam title in a thrilling five-set final. The 35-year-old won a classic encounter to become the oldest major-winner in 45 years and move four titles clear of Nadal and Pete Sampras on the all-time list. For Federer, it sealed an astonishing comeback from six months out with injury. His fifth Australian title came seven years after his last. Federer won 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 Miami Masters & Indian Wells, 2017 Federer continued his mastery of Nadal in a re-run of the Australian Open final when he outclassed and overpowered his great rival in Miami. Federer won 6-3 6-4 They met again just weeks later in the desert and it was Federer again who produced a breathtaking performance to dismantle Nadal with casual assurance. Federer won 6-2 6-3 Shanghai, 2017 Federer maintained his dominance over Nadal with an imperious 72-minute display to secure his sixth title of the year. The Swiss now has the advantage on hard courts (11-9). Federer won 6-4 6-3 Federer v Nadal: Tale of the Tape Federer Nadal Age 37 32 Nationality Swiss Spanish Height 6ft 1ins 6ft 1ins Plays Right-handed Left-handed Career titles 100 80 Grand Slam titles 20 17 Head to head 15 23 Masters titles 27 33 We have the tennis season covered from all angles via our website skysports.com/tennis. On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation.<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments Federer was due to play Nadal in the semi-finals of the Indian Wells Masters last night. But the world No 2 pulled out of the tournament due to a knee injury sustained in his quarter-final clash with Karen Khachanov. The 32-year-old tried his best to be ready to take on his long-term rival. However, Nadal was unable to take to the court and he texted Federer to let him know personally.<doc-sep>INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) -- It's Federer vs. Nadal again, only this time it'll be in the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open. Roger Federer beat Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 6-4 and Rafael Nadal got by Karen Khachanov 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) on Friday to set up the old rivals' 39th career meeting and first in 16 months. Neither Federer nor Nadal has dropped a set in four matches in the desert. Federer has been broken just once, while Nadal has dropped serve three times, twice against Khachanov. Nadal stands in the way of Federer's pursuit of a record sixth title at Indian Wells. Still, the Swiss superstar was rooting for Nadal to advance against his 22-year-old opponent. ''Playing against young guys to eventually get to Rafa, that's exciting,'' said Federer, who also faced an opponent the same age as Khachanov. Nadal's right knee flared up in the second set for the first time during the tournament. He called for a trainer who applied tape just below the knee. The trainer returned again with Nadal leading 3-2 in the second set. ''My goal and my idea is be ready for tomorrow,'' Nadal said. ''I cannot guarantee how I'm going to wake up tomorrow morning.'' Knee problems have dogged the 32-year-old Spaniard in recent years, and they cut short his 2018 season after the U.S. Open in September. ''I love to play on hard (courts), but probably my body doesn't love it that much,'' Nadal said. ''As I say before, is not only about today, is about tomorrow. Maybe we're going to pay the price at the age of 45 or something. That will be not nice. When I see some old legends walking around the tour, is tough to see.'' Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu rallied past No. 6 Elina Svitolina 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, winning on her fourth match point to reach the biggest final of her young career. Andreescu became the first wild-card to reach the Indian Wells final. Story continues ''Another goal of mine was to make history, and I just did,'' she said, smiling. Andreescu will play two-time major champion Angelique Kerber, who ended 23rd-seeded Belinda Bencic's run of upsets with a 6-4, 6-2 victory. The 18-year-old Canadian's run is reminiscent of Naomi Osaka's path to last year's title. Little-known at the time, Osaka used her Indian Wells victory as a launching pad to beating Serena Williams for the U.S. Open title and winning the Australian Open while becoming the world's top-ranked player. ''I'm actually shaking right now,'' Andreescu told reporters. ''It's just so incredible.'' Andreescu had break points against her in each of her last three service games. ''It was so many emotions going through my head,'' she said. ''It was a crazy match. It was a roller coaster.'' Svitolina had three break chances in the final game, but couldn't convert. The Ukrainian also was bothered by her inflamed right knee. ''I couldn't allow myself to play 100 percent because my movement was not there,'' she said. Federer is on a five-matching winning streak against Nadal, who lost to him all four times they played in 2017, including the last time at the Shanghai Masters in October of that year. ''You look back at what I did well there, but you can't just copy-paste and play exactly the same thing again,'' Federer said. The other semifinal Saturday pairs Milos Raonic and Dominic Thiem. Nadal improved to 6-0 against Khachanov, although it was tougher and longer than Federer's win. Nadal trailed 6-5 before Khachanov's forehand error forced the second tiebreaker, which Nadal dominated to close out the match that lasted just over two hours. ''He's unbelievable in defense,'' Khachanov said. ''When you want to try maybe just to play more safe then he suddenly steps in and he counterattacks. He steps in and then he starts moving you, and then you are again in trouble.'' Federer believes Nadal is playing better than he did in losing the Australian Open final to Novak Djokovic, who was upset earlier in the week. ''When Rafa is healthy, especially in a place like here in Indian Wells where he feels comfortable, he's clearly very tough to play,'' Federer said. Against Hurkacz, Federer fought off two break points in the second set, including the last game when he closed the match with a forehand winner off a short ball. ''Not that I didn't expect it,'' Federer said, ''but it definitely went better than I thought it would.'' Hurkacz, a 22-year-old Pole, earned three-set upsets of No. 28 Lucas Pouille, No. 6 Kei Nishikori and No. 24 Denis Shapovalov to make his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal against his childhood idol. Federer was playing in his 83rd at this level. ''Playing against him for the first time on the big stadium of a great crowd here was for sure different feeling,'' Hurkacz said. --- More AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports<doc-sep>
0:33 Rafael Nadal says he won't play again until mid-April at the earliest, after a knee injury forced him to pull out of the semi-finals of Indian Wells Rafael Nadal says he won't play again until mid-April at the earliest, after a knee injury forced him to pull out of the semi-finals of Indian Wells Rafael Nadal withdrew from his BNP Paribas Open semi-final with Roger Federer, allowing the Swiss great to reach his ninth Indian Wells final. The pair's much anticipated 39th meeting failed to materialise on Saturday as confirmation of the Spaniard's withdrawal due to a right knee injury came moments before Dominic Thiem and Milos Raonic got the day's play underway. Having not faced off since Shanghai in 2017, there were high hopes of a thrilling encounter but after initial reports that Nadal had practiced without problems, suggestions to the contrary began to emerge. Eventually confirmation came, along with the news that the Spaniard would also miss the Miami Open. "I warmed up today and I felt that my knee was not good to compete at the level I needed to compete in semi-finals," Nadal told the tournament's official website. "It's tough for me to accept all these things that I'm going through in my career. Sometimes I feel sad because I'm in a disadvantage to all my opponents. "[I need to] be positive and grateful for all the things tennis has given to me. I feel fortunate for all the things I've done in my life and the world of tennis." It means Federer is into a third successive Indian Wells final and having been beaten by Juan Martin del Potro in a thriller last year, he will hope to claim his sixth title in the Californian desert, two years after his last which came after victory over Stan Wawrinka. The 37-year has eased through the draw without dropping a set and having made history by joining Jimmy Connors in the 100 club with his title success in Dubai a couple of weeks ago - he is on track for 101 when he faces Thiem in Sunday's final. Dominic Thiem reached a third career Masters final with victory over Milos Raonic The Austrian emerged victorious from a titanic struggle against 2016 Indian Wells runner-up Raonic, winning 7-6 (7/3) 6-7 (3/7) 6-4 to set up a fifth career meeting with Federer who will be playing in his 49th Masters final. In contrast it is Thiem's third, having reached the Madrid Open final in each of the last two years, but the Austrian is more well-known for his prowess on the clay - only three of his 18 career ATP finals have been on hard courts, including his last title in St Petersburg last year. Federer has not claimed a Masters title since his Shanghai success over Nadal and the fourth seed has lost just once this season - his fourth round defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Australian Open - and has won both his hard court meetings with Thiem without dropping a set. Nadal remains without a title since Toronto in August last year and a win over Federer since the Australian Open in 2017 but with a four-week break he will re-emerge for the clay-court season in Monte Carlo before yet another French Open at Roland Garros. We have the tennis season covered from all angles via our website skysports.com/tennis. On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation.