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INDIAN WELLS. — Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal and world number one Novak Djokovic remained on course on Wednesday for a mouth-watering Indian Wells semi-final, while Swiss Stan Wawrinka exited in a match he described as a no-brainer.

World number five 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 quarters by beating Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-3 but French Open champion Stan Wawrinka bit the dust in the joint ATP and WTA Tour tournament.

In the women’s section, Serena Williams dethroned defending champion Simona Halep in straight sets to set up an Indian Wells semi-final showdown between the world No. 1 and 2. Williams reached just her second semi in 15 years by beating Halep 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday.

“She’s a dangerous player,” Williams said of Halep. “She knows what it takes to beat the best player so I knew I had to play as best as I could.”

Williams advances to face Agnieszka Radwanska, who has never beaten Williams in nine career matches.

Meanwhile, Nadal, who saved a match point in the third set, said he had to adjust quickly to 18-year-old Zverev’s style, especially the German’s second serve.

“With his second serve at 120 mph, with a lot of spin and at 124, 123, 120 mph, it was impossible,” Nadal said.

“If he puts the first serve in at over 130 mph then you are in big trouble. So I think that I’m here, and still alive.”

Indeed, Zverev had the 14-time Grand Slam champion Nadal on the ropes for much of Wednesday’s two and a half hour contest. Following the match the Spaniard predicted great things for the teen. — AFP.