Nadal's opponent in the semifinals of the California desert will be the Argentine Del Potro, who today won a spot in the semifinal after the withdrawal through injury of Spanish Tommy Robredo.
A heroic Rafa Nadal qualified for the semifinals at Indian Wells dying to knock on a gunboat Ivo Karlovic 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7), in two hours and 23 minutes of a match of high level which both players at times took the best of his repertoire.
Nadal beat Karlovic, the world number 239, despite 23 points from ace achieved by the Croatian.
The first set was running like a perfect gear ritual, each player held on to serve and not allow any interference. The games were falling one by one for each tie it up with five, Karlovic, a player of 2.08 meters, surprised the Spanish with a white game and break of serve.
The Spaniard saved a ball set but could not take the Croatian rush with a stunning kick that surprised everyone with his superb defense and powerful punches from the bottom of the track.
In the second set, Nadal, anger, unleashed its fury and wiped out his opponent with two breaks of serve and a set of many carats to enjoy the nearly 10,000 people who gathered in the central Indian Wells, in one night peaceful and hardly any wind in the Californian desert.
Final set ran through the same channels as the first. Premium is prudence and calm on the part of both very safe at all times with their service. Equality was to reach a tie-break final started in an excellent place to Nadal with a break of serve.
That began to flourish nerves and both players committed unforced errors as delicate, but Nadal was able to better manage the situation. With 8-7 for Spanish and service for Karlovic came the surrender of the Croatian tower and the exaltation of its rival.
Minutes earlier, Nadal, at a turning point, and clenched his fist with the knee up, in a characteristic gesture full of energy and rage. It was a sign of victory.