Rafael Nadal has survived a match point against him to beat Alexander Zverev (8)6-7 6-0 7-5 in the fourth round at Indian Wells.

The former world number one lost the opening set on a tie-break, but he responded with a bagel to level the match up.

Yet, it appeared that the Spaniard was heading for the tournament's exit door when young German Zverev held a 5-4 40-30 lead in the third and final set.

However, the 18-year-old sent a routine volley into the net and Nadal made the most of his reprieve by winning the next three games in succession to wrap up the victory.

"I'm very happy for the victory, obviously. I was fighting during the whole match," 29-year-old Nadal told reporters.

"It's obvious that I played against a great player, a player who was serving unbelievable, at the beginning especially."

The 14-time Grand Slam champion will now take on Kei Nishikori for a place in the semi-finals.