Rafael Nadal will meet rival Roger Federer in the semi-finals at Indian Wells after battling past David Nalbandian 4-6 7-5 6-4.

The world number two had not lost a set in this year's tournament prior to meeting the Argentine, who took the opening set after Nadal had hit 15 unforced errors and just six winners.

Nalbandian continued to frustrate the Spaniard in the second set until he served up his first sloppy service game, ending in a double fault, to hand Nadal the crucial break in game 11.

Nadal comfortably held serve to force a decider and then immediately broke in the next game.

After breaking again, this time to love, Nadal looked nervous when serving for the match and Nalbandian earned a break back and then held to pile the pressure on his opponent once again.

The two-time Indian Wells champion proved his mettle, surviving two more break points before claiming the win with a deft drop-shot