TENNIS in DEPTH.

Rafael Nadal had to battle from a set down against big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic to secure himself a semi-final date with Juan Martin del Potro at the BNP Paribas Open. Karlovic, who missed much of last year through injury, clinched the opening break of serve of the match in game 11 en route to taking the first set 7-5 but the Spaniard showed why he is world number one by responding brilliantly.

The 24-year-old stormed back to take the second set 6-1 before Karlovic also found another gear in the third set and forced a tie-break, which Nadal edged to take the match 5-7 6-1 7-6 (9/7). Nadal, who had been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the Australian Open, withstood 23 aces from the world number 239. Karlovic saved two match points in the tie-break but sent a return wide on Nadal’s third opportunity, much to the two-time champion’s relief.

“You lose a set against Karlovic, and you are under pressure the rest of the games of the match,” he said. “I think I played a fantastic second set, returning better than ever. “In the third, I didn’t have chances. His serve was unstoppable. In the tie-break I was really nervous. “I think I returned fantastic in the tie-break, but I didn’t put one first serve on court, so I was really nervous. “For sure, it is a very important victory for me. Being in the semi-finals another time here after one month outside competition is fantastic news for me.”

Del Potro earlier progressed without hitting a ball as 25th seed Tommy Robredo had to withdraw before the match after straining his left adductor muscle during Wednesday’s fourth-round win over Sam Querrey. “After the match I knew that if something strange happens maybe I could play, but if not, for sure I will not play,” the Spaniard said. “We did an MRI [on Wednesday night], and we saw the results. Obviously the doctor here says not to play. “We have been delaying it as much as possible because we were contacting our doctors in Spain to see what they feel about, and now the decision is done. “Everyone is saying the same, so I am out of here and I am out of Miami, as well.”

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