Blake Beats Nadal, Federer Next at Indian Wells

American James Blake did what few players have been able to accomplish over the last year, stopping a Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal meeting in a final of a Masters Series event.

On Saturday at the ATP Masters Series-Indian Wells, Blake beat Nadal 7-5, 6-3 to improve his career record to 2-0 against the Spaniard and advance to the final against Federer.

"Rafael is an unbelievable player," Blake said. "I think he somehow brings out the best in me, because I played some of my best tennis against him at the US Open."

Nadal's hopping spin didn't keep Blake from dictating play with his forehand and logging more winners than the Spaniard.

"I fight all match...maybe I play a little defensive in the first set," Nadal said. "After in the second set I improve a little bit, maybe I play a little bit better. I have some chances, one 15-40. In the first set, breakpoint in the 4-4, and he serve unbelievable. He serve outside on the line. So well played."

In the first Saturday semifinal Federer rolled over unseeded Thai Paradorn Srichaphan 6-2, 6-3.

"He really mixes up the game not like any other player," Srichaphan said. "A normal player will play the same way the whole match, but Roger, he's really good with mixing up the ball, with the spin, with the slice and the serve. Even when I had chances, he was always controlling the point. So it is really difficult to play against him."

Federer is 2-0 against Blake, winning tight straight-set affairs at the Masters Series-Cincinnati in 2005, and at the US Open in 2003.

In the doubles final, (3) Knowles/Nestor upset (1) Bryan/Bryan 6-4, 6-4 for their second title of the year.