Raonic Tennis Indian Wells

BNP PARIBAS OPEN 2015

Indian Wells, U.S.A.

Milos Raonic saved three match points to claim his first win over Rafael Nadal Friday at the BNP Paribas Open. The Canadian beat the third seed 4-6, 7-6(10), 7-5 to advance to a semi-final meeting with Roger Federer as he looks to reach his second consecutive ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final.

“At the moments when I was playing those match points, it didn't really feel like match points, ” said Raonic. “It was just like another point that I was trying to get through… [I was] just sort of going through the paces at that moment of what do I need to do now, not really signifying it as a match point.”

Raonic ended Nadal's perfect record against Canadians, notching his first win against the Spaniard to reach his fifth ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final.

World No. 6 Raonic was broken for the first time this tournament as the three-time champion took a 2-1 lead in the first set. Nadal went on to win the first set in 36 minutes. The Canadian saved three match points in the second-set tie-break to force a third set.

Raonic finally earned a crucial break in the third set to go up 6-5 and a chance to serve out the match.

Watch Nadal Hot Shot

The Canadian fired 19 aces and saved six of his seven break points faced in the two hour, 58-minute victory.

“I feel obviously all sorts of good, ” said Raonic. “Obviously there was a lot of up and down through that match, and all I could ask of myself was just keep competing and hope to find a way. I got fortunate a few times and it worked out.”

“I think I did well, " said Nadal. "I enjoyed the fact that I felt well with myself on court again. I felt competitive. I felt strong, with the right energy. I lost that match thinking much more positive things than negative ones."

Federer leads the FedEx ATP Head2Head series against Raonic 8-1.

Did You Know?

Raonic has advanced to the quarter-final or better at eight of his last 10 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events. Only Federer can match the Canadian’s quarter-final record in that period.