INDIAN WELLS • Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic remained on course on Wednesday for a mouth-watering semi-final at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

World No. 5 Nadal survived a scare from Alexander Zverev, rallying to beat the German teenager 6-7 (8-10), 6-0, 7-5 and reach the quarter-finals. Two-time defending champion Djokovic cruised into the quarter-finals by beating Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-3.

Djokovic wasted no time avenging the only blemish on his record this year. Last month in Dubai, he retired against Lopez after losing the first set with an eye infection.

Nadal, who saved a match point in the third set, had to adjust quickly to the 18-year-old's style. He said: "He is amazingly talented. He is probably going to be the No. 1 in the world."

Nadal will next face Japan's Kei Nishikori, who rallied to beat American John Isner 1-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-5).

Djokovic will battle seventh-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who beat Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-2.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS

ATP INDIAN WELLS MASTERS

Day 8: Q-finals (StarHub Ch201, 10am). Day 9: Q-finals (tomorrow, 3am).