Rafa Nadal toppled big-serving American Reilly Opelka 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5) to remain perfect on the year while unseeded Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic stunned world No. 6 Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4 in the fourth round of Indian Wells on Wednesday.

Nadal is now 18-0 to start the season and if he can win his fourth title in the California desert, he will move into a tie with Novak Djokovic for the most Masters 1000 titles with 37.

To do so, the 21-time grand slam champion will need to defeat another huge server in Australian Nick Kyrgios, who advanced by walkover after Italian Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament due to illness.

Halep cruises

Simona Halep took less than an hour to breeze past Petra Martic 6-1, 6-1 and reach the semi-finals of the WTA Indian Wells tournament for the fourth time, while Iga Swiatek also advanced in style dismantling Madison Keys.

Next up for Halep is Swiatek, who got past big-serving American Keys 6-1, 6-0 in 56 minutes. The pair have met three times previously with Halep winning twice.