Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal in straight sets in Indian Wells semis to set up Milos Raonic clash in show piece final

Novak Djokovic is one win away from a fifth BNP Paribas Open title at Indian Wells after overcoming great rival Rafael Nadal in straight sets in the semi-finals.

The world No 1 sealed his sixth successive win over the Spaniard, and 10th in their last 11 matches, but he was pushed to his limits in a tense first set before coming through 7-6(5), 6-2.

He will now be bidding for his third straight crown in California when he takes on Milos Raonic in the final on Sunday after the Canadian saw off David Goffin 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the other last-four encounter. 

Novak Djokovic celebrates winning the final of Indian Wells with a straight sets victory over Rafael Nadal

14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, sliding into a backhand, gave Djokovic a stern test

The world No 1 will face Canadian big-hitter Milos Raonic in the BNP Paribas Open final on Sunday

Djokovic has been without peer for much of the last 18 months while Nadal has endured a chastening start to 2016, most notably suffering the ignominy of a first-round exit at the Australian Open.

However, the Spaniard has this week enjoyed an upturn in fortunes at a tournament he has won three times - and his rejuvenation seemed set to continue as he made a roaring start to his 48th meeting with Djokovic.

The Serbian, who led their head-to-head 24-23 after thrashing Nadal 6-1, 6-2 in their last meeting in Doha in January, won the opening point with a cross-court backhand following a 24-shot rally that set the tone for the contest.

But the tenacious Nadal held serve and then surprisingly broke his opponent to establish a 2-0 lead, only to then give the break back as Djokovic started to find some rhythm.

Both combatants matched each other blow-for-blow in a set that thereafter stayed with serve, with Nadal unable to convert a set point at 5-4 ahead.

Djokovic asserted his authority in the tie-break, opening up a 4-1 advantage, only for Nadal to display immense fortitude in levelling at 5-5.

However, the No 4 seed then sent a limp backhand into the net to surrender the first set in a little over an hour and was always on the back foot as Djokovic raised his intensity levels.

Djokovic continued his mastery of Nadal on hard courts, who hasn't won a title on the surface since 2014

The Serbian world No 1 fires down a serve on route to defeating Nadal in straight sets in California

Nadal managed to repel wave after wave of attack from Djokovic but the pressure eventually told as he was broken in the sixth game of the second set, netting a forehand after saving the first break point.

While Nadal was able to stave off four match points in his next service game, including battling back from 0-40 down, the left-hander sent a forehand long to hand Djokovic victory in a little under two hours.

Only Raonic stands in his way from claiming his 27th Masters title, with the 12th seed going the distance against Belgium's Goffin.

12th seed Milos Raonic prepares to fire down a serve during his quarter-final contest with David Goffin

Raonic, playing in his first event since the Australian Open following an adductor tear, decisively broke Goffin in the fourth game as he took the first set, although his opponent returned the favour to take the match to a decider.

The 12th seed broke immediately at the start of the third and held on to reach the final of the competition for the first time, eclipsing his best effort of 12 months ago when he was beaten in the last four by Roger Federer.

Canadian Milos Raonic celebrates his progression into the Indian Wells final after beating David Goffin