TENNIS: Federer powers past Nadal in Indian Wells

Britain Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, Wimbledon, England - 6/7/16 Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates winning the fourth set in his match against Croatia's Marin Cilic REUTERS/

Roger Federer played superbly to claim a third straight win over Rafael Nadal for the first time in his career and reach the last eight in Indian Wells.

The Swiss, 35, won 6-2 6-3 to follow up his Australian Open final victory over the Spaniard two months ago, when Federer won his 18th Grand Slam title.

He will next face Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, who upset world number two Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-6 (7-3). Svetlana Kuznetsova was the first player into the women’s semis.

The eighth seed saw off fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3 6-2 and will meet Czech Karolina Pliskova, after she beat French Open champion Garbine Muguruza 7-6 7-6.