Milos Raonic is through to his third ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final after defeating David Goffin 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 on Saturday at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

The Canadian will look to win his first Masters 1000 title when he takes on either Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final. The 25-year-old Raonic has made an emphatic return from the adductor tear that sidelined him through February.

The Toronto native had made a career-best start to his 2016 campaign, winning his eighth ATP World Tour title in Brisbane, where he defeated Roger Federer in the final, before upsetting Stan Wawrinka en route to his second Grand Slam semi-final showing at the Australian Open (l. to Murray), where he suffered the leg injury.

Raonic was contesting his second successive Indian Wells semi-final (l. to Federer 2015) and made a strong start against Goffin, whom he had lost to in their only previous meeting two years ago in Basel.

The right-hander broke Goffin in the fourth game of the match for a 3-1 lead and saved a break point in the seventh game before going on to seal the opener. But Goffin struck back, engineering only the third break of Raonic’s serve this tournament as he went up 3-1 in the second set.

The Belgian couldn’t hold on to his initial advantage, as Raonic immediately struck back, but the diminutive Goffin again broke Raonic in the eighth game and served out to level the match, becoming the first player to take a set off Raonic in the tournament.

Raonic responded immediately with a break of serve at the start of the third set and did not let up, punishing the Belgian for winning only 18 per cent of his second serve points to claim victory in just over two hours.

“I feel like I did things right,” said Raonic. “I sort of lost my way a little bit in the second set, and it’s important to me sort of to be able to recognise that and get things back on the right track and play and finish off with some good tennis like I did.

“I feel like even when I’m not playing my best [this year] I’m able to find the answer and the solutions. I feel like I’m competing well. I feel like I’m dealing with the situations much better.

“Definitely have been playing higher level this year, but I think also when I have had those difficult moments or let’s say some kind of crisis throughout matches, I have found solutions better. I think I have been much more regimented about that and a lot more disciplined with myself and a lot more understanding about the way I need to go about things during the match. And also analyzing and adjusting and accepting things during matches.”

The 25-year-old Goffin is the first Belgian man to reach the semi-finals at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The right-hander almost exited in the second round, saving two match points to edge Next Generation star Frances Tiafoe, before upsetting Wawrinka and Marin Cilic to reach the final four.

“I think in the second I was just better than him,” said Goffin. “I was starting to return a lot of balls. I was really aggressive on his second serve, and it was really effective in the second.

“Against a player like Milos it’s always frustrating when you have the feeling that during the match you’re better than him, but he has an amazing serve and sometimes you lose one or two shots in a game and then he has the break. He started to serve better until the end of the match.

“Maybe I just lost my concentration during three or four points and then that’s why I lost the match.”

Raonic’s two previous Masters 1000 finals came in Montreal in 2013 (l. to Nadal) and Paris in 2014 (l. to Djokovic). This time, the Canadian is hopeful he can come closer to his first title. “I want it to be a lot different than it has been the last two times,” said Raonic. 

“I think I have a better understanding of what I need to do. I think I have more tools, and just like today I can be a lot more accepting and I can understand how things happen during a match and I can adjust, which I didn’t do well the last two times.

“I have obviously a big challenge ahead of me, but I have been pretty good this year at finding solutions.”

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DAY 10 PREVIEW: The semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday features two of the game’s all-time greats in the longest-running Open Era rivalry (since 1968) and a pair of 25-year-old stars in the Top 20 Emirates ATP Rankings.   

In the first semi-final, No. 15 seed David Goffin of Belgium takes on No. 12 Milos Raonic of Canada. Goffin won the previous meeting 67 63 64 in the quarter-finals of the Swiss Indoors in Basel on Oct. 24, 2014. Goffin is appearing in his first career ATP Masters 1000 semi-final and he’s only the second Belgian to reach the semis at a Masters 1000 event. In 2005, Christophe Rochus advanced to the semi-finals in Hamburg (l. to Gasquet). Raonic, who is off to a career-best 13-1 start, is making his second straight semi-final showing in Indian Wells and sixth SF overall in an ATP Masters 1000 tournament. He’s reached two finals, in 2013 Montreal (l. to Nadal) and 2014 Paris-Bercy (l. to Djokovic). He is the only player remaining yet to lose a set and he’s held serve 33 of 35 games (94%). Meanwhile, Goffin has been broken 12 times, saving 33 of 45 break points. He won the first three matches in three sets, including a third set tie-break in his opener when he saved two match points (vs. Tiafoe). His lone straight-sets match was a 76 62 win over Marin Cilic in QFs.

In the second match, World No. 1 and four-time BNP Paribas Open champion Novak Djokovic squares off for the 48^th time with No. 4 seed Rafael Nadal. Djokovic holds a winning record (24-23) for the first time in their rivalry and he’s won the last five meetings (nine of last 10). Nadal’s last win came in the final of 2014 Roland Garros. Djokovic also has a 17-7 advantage on hard courts, winning the last six times since the Spaniard won in the 2013 US Open final. This is their fourth meeting in Indian Wells (Djokovic leads 2-1). Nadal won in the 2007 final before Djokovic prevailed in the 2008 semi-finals and 2011 final. Djokovic, who is tied with Roger Federer with four career Indian Wells titles, is trying to become the tournament’s first five-time winner (2008, ’11, ’14-15). He’s won his last 15 matches here since losing in the semi-finals in 2013 (l. to del Potro). Nadal is appearing in the semi-finals for the ninth time in 12 visits and he’s trying to win a fourth title (2007, ’09, ’13). The Spaniard is also eyeing his 100^th career singles final (67-32).

TOP FIVE CHAMPIONS: In 14 of the past 15 years, a Top 5 player has emerged victorious at the BNP Paribas Open with 2010 champion Ivan Ljubicic the only exception. Djokovic or Nadal are looking to extend that streak with a title on Sunday. Djokovic and Nadal are two of the three active players who have won the title here (Federer is a four-time winner).

DOUBLE-DIGIT SEEDS: This is the second time in three years two double-digit seeds are in the semi-finals in Indian Wells. The winner between Raonic and Goffin will be the first double-digit seed to reach the Indian Wells final since No. 11 Isner in 2012 (l. to Federer). Two years ago, No. 12 Isner and No. 28 Dolgopolov both lost in the semi-finals.

BIG FOUR DOMINANCE: The ‘Big Four’ of Djokovic, Murray, Federer and Nadal have won 48 of the last 52 ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, which dates back to Nadal’s triumph at Monte-Carlo in 2010. The only other players to emerge with an ATP Masters 1000 title are: Robin Soderling (2010 Paris), David Ferrer (2012 Paris), Stan Wawrinka (2014 Monte-Carlo) and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2014 Toronto).

SEMI-FINALS FEDEX ATP HEAD 2 HEADS: In Order of Play

[15] David Goffin (BEL) vs [12] Milos Raonic (CAN)

Goffin Leads 1-0     

Goffin 2016 FastFacts

QF: Marseille (l. to Berdych)

YTD W-L: 12-4 (10-4 on hard)

YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 2

Date of Birth: December 7, 1990

Emirates ATP Ranking: 18

Indian Wells W-L (Best Result): 5-2 (2016 Semi-finalist)

• 2016 Indian Wells: The 25-year-old Belgian won three straight three-setters, including a final-set TB vs. Tiafoe in 2R (saved 2 MPs). Also beat [3] Wawrinka in final set TB in 4R and lone straight-sets win came over [10] Cilic 76 62 in QFs. First Belgian man to reach SFs in tournament history (since 1976) and first Belgian in an ATP Masters 1000 SF since Christophe Rochus in Hamburg in 2005 (l. to Gasquet)

• Infosys ATP Scores & Stats: Has been broken 12 times (43 of 55 games held, 78%), most among SFs, and has

faced most break pts. in tournament, saving 33 of 45 (73%). His career avg. is 59%

• Tournament Note: Snapped 14-match losing streak vs. Top 10 with win over [3] Wawrinka and prior to this year

had an 1-2 match record in Indian Wells (DNP last year)

• Advanced to Australian Open 4R for 1st time (d. Thiem, l. to No. 3 Federer)

• Defeated Coric and Cilic, but lost doubles w/Bemelmans to Dodig/Skugor during Davis Cup 1R (CRO d. BEL 3-2)

• Reached Marseille QF (l. to No. 8 Berdych)

• Trying to reach 6^th career ATP World Tour title match (2-3) and last year reached finals in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (l. to Mahut) on grass and Gstaad (l. to Thiem) on clay

• Will jump from No. 18 to No. 15 in the Emirates ATP Rankings and to No.13 if he reaches the final

OUTSIDE TOP 10 TO REACH FINAL: The Goffin-Raonic winner will be the first player outside the Top 10 to reach the Indian Wells final since No. 11 Isner in 2012. Here are the players outside the Top 10 in the final since 2000:

Year – Emirates ATP Ranking

2012 – No. 11 John Isner lost to Roger Federer

2010 – No. 26 Ivan Ljubicic def. Andy Roddick

2008 – No. 98 Mardy Fish (u) lost to Novak Djokovic

2007 – No. 13 Novak Djokovic lost to Rafael Nadal

2006 – No. 14 James Blake lost to Roger Federer

2003 – No. 24 Gustavo Kuerten (u) lost to Lleyton Hewitt

2000 – No. 26 Alex Corretja (u) def. Thomas Enqvist

Note: (u) Unseeded

Raonic 2016 FastFacts

W: Brisbane (d. Federer); SF: Australian Open (l. to Murray)

YTD W-L: 13-1 (13-1 on hard)

YTD Titles: 1 / Career Titles: 8

Date of Birth: December 27, 1990

Emirates ATP Ranking: 14

Indian Wells W-L (Best Result): 15-5 (2015-16 Semi-finalist)

• 2016 Indian Wells: The 25-year-old Canadian is back in SFs for second straight year and only player remaining

yet to drop a set (8-0). Saved 2 set points in 2nd set en route to 64 76(7) win over [6] Berdych in 4R and followed

with 75 63 victory over [13] Monfils on Thursday night. Last year (d. No. 3 Nadal in QF, l. to Federer in SF)

• Infosys ATP Scores & Stats: No. 2 in tournament with 94% of service games won (33 of 35), saving 4 of 6 break

pts. and has hit 30 aces (7.5 avg.) compared to 15.5 on season. Also No. 3 with 66% of 2nd-serve points won

• Tournament Note: Saved 3 MPs to beat No. 3 Nadal 46 76(10) 75 en route to 2015 SF (l. to No. 2 Federer). His 15

match wins is most at an ATP Masters 1000 tournament

• Won 1st 9 matches of 2016 season, highlighted by 8th career ATP World Tour title at Brisbane (d. No. 3 Federer)

• Victory over Federer avenged loss to Swiss in 2015 Brisbane final

• Upset No. 4 Wawrinka in 5 sets en route to 2nd Grand Slam SF at Australian Open (l. to No. 2 Murray in 5 sets)

• Withdrew from Delray Beach, Acapulco and Davis Cup 1R due to adductor tear sustained in Australian Open SF

• Trying to reach 17^th career ATP World Tour final (8-8), 3^rd ATP Masters 1000 final (’13 Toronto, l. to Nadal; ’14 Paris-Bercy, l. to Djokovic)

• Will remain No. 14 in the Emirates ATP Rankings (with SF) and will go to No.12 if he reaches the final (No. 10 if wins title)

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs [4] Rafael Nadal (ESP)

Djokovic Leads 24-23

Djokovic 2016 FastFacts

W (2): Doha (d. Nadal); Australian Open (d. Murray); QF: Dubai (l. to Lopez)

YTD W-L: 20-1 (20-1 on hard)

YTD Titles: 2 / Career Titles: 61

Date of Birth: May 22, 1987

Emirates ATP Ranking: 1 (Career-High)

Indian Wells W-L (Best Result): 45-6 (2008, 2011, 2014-2015 Champion)

• 2016 Indian Wells: Since losing 1^st set in opening match vs. Fratangelo, has won 8 sets. Avenged only loss of

season and did not face a BP in 63 63 win over [18] Lopez in 4R. Then beat Tsonga 76(2) 76(2) to reach 8^th SF

• Tournament Note: No. 1 or No. 2 in Emirates ATP Rankings each week since winning 2011 title and 190^th week at

No. 1 in career (89 straight weeks since July 7, 2014). Trying to become first 5-time winner in event history

• Tied Emerson’s all-time record with 6th Australian Open title (d. No. 2 Murray)

• Moved into tie with Laver and Borg for 5th all-time with 11 Grand Slam men’s singles titles

• Won a 5-set match en route to title for 7th time at a major, overcoming 100 unforced errors in 4R (d. Simon)

• Captured 60th career title to start season at Doha, not dropping a set all week (d. No. 5 Nadal)

• Became 3rd active player to reach 700 wins by beating Jaziri in Dubai 2R on Feb. 24 (also Federer, Nadal)

• Fell 1 shy of Lendl’s Open-Era record 18 straight finals when eye problem forced ret in Dubai QF (l. to Lopez)

• Had not retired since 2011 Davis Cup SF vs. del Potro, a stretch of 350 matches (318-32)

• Defeated Nedovyesov in 3 sets and Kukushkin in 5 sets to help Serbia beat Kazakhstan 3-2 in Davis Cup 1R

Nadal 2016 FastFacts

F: Doha (l. to Djokovic); SF (2): Buenos Aires (l. to Thiem); Rio de Janeiro (l. to Cuevas)

YTD W-L: 12-4 (8-2 on hard)

YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 67

Date of Birth: June 3, 1986

Emirates ATP Ranking: 5

Indian Wells W-L (Best Result): 48-8 (2007, 2009, 2013 Champion)

• 2016 Indian Wells: Saved 1 MP vs. A. Zverev in 4R (won 15 of last 16 pts. in match) and 5 set points in 2nd set vs.

Verdasco in 3R. Beat No. 6-ranked Nishikori 64 63 in QFs for first Top 10 win of season

• Tournament Note: Winner of 3 singles and 2 doubles titles (2010 and 2012 w/M. Lopez). Appearing in 9^th SF in

12^th tournament visit and has a 4-4 record in SF matches. Trying to reach 5^th final (R-up in ’11)

• Reached 99th career final to start season in Doha (l. to No. 1 Djokovic) and trying to advance to 100^th final (67-32)

• His last title came in Hamburg last August (d. Fognini)

• Has played 20 hard-court tournaments since last title on surface at 2014 Doha (d. Monfils)

• Lost to eventual champions in back-to-back SFs at Buenos Aires (l. to Thiem after holding 1 MP) and Rio de Janeiro (l. to Cuevas)

• Suffered 2nd Grand Slam 1R loss of career at Australian Open vs. Verdasco in 4h41m, 5-set marathon

• Has a 19-15 career record vs. No. 1 ranked opponents (13-6 vs. Federer, 6-9 vs. Djokovic)

Doubles Championship: [6] Vasek Pospisil (CAN)/Jack Sock (USA) vs. [7] Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA)/Nicolas Mahut (FRA)

• Pospisil/Sock defeated Qureshi/Simon 60 75 in 1R, Bellucci/Pella 63 67(6) 10-5 in 2R, Kohlschreiber/Sock 75 63 in QF and Lopez/Lopez 46 63 12-10 in SF

• Canadian and American are 45-15 on ATP World Tour (6-1 in 2016)

• Reigning ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells champions (d. Bryan/Bryan in QF and Bolelli/Fognini in final)

• Trying to become first repeat Indian Wells champions since Bryan/Bryan in 2013-14. Prior to that

Knowles/Nestor won back-to-back titles in 2005-06

• Became 1st duo since Hewitt/Mirnyi at 2000 US Open to capture Grand Slam title in team debut at 2014 Wimbledon (d. Bryan/Bryan 75 in 5th)

• Also won titles at 2014 Atlanta (d. Johnson/Querrey) and 2015 Beijing (d. Nestor/Roger-Vasselin)

• FedEx ATP H2H: Sock defeated Pospisil in their lone singles meeting 62 64 in 2016 Auckland 2R

• World No. 17 Pospisil is 8-1 lifetime at Indian Wells and World No. 14 Sock is 8-0

• Pospisil is 6-4 in doubles finals (won Rotterdam w/Mahut last month) and Sock is 6-5 in doubles finals

• Herbert/Mahut defeated Dimitrov/Mirnyi 76(5) 62 in 1R, Nestor/Stepanek 46 64 10-5 in 2R, [Alt] Chardy/Martin 61 75 in QF and No. 8 Roger-Vasselin/Zimonjic 46 63 10-6 in SF

• They are trying to become first French duo to win Indian Wells title since Arnaud Clement/Sebastien Grosjean in 2004 (d. W. Black/Ullyett)

• Frenchmen are 36-15 on ATP World Tour (6-2 in 2016)

• Reigning US Open champions (d. M. Lopez/Granollers, Rojer/Tecau, Inglot/Lindstedt and J. Murray/Peers)

• Advanced to 2015 Australian Open final (d. Benneteau/Roger-Vasselin and Dodig/Melo, l. to Bolelli/Fognini)

• Also reached finals in 2015 at ’s-Hertogenbosch (l. to Karlovic/Kubot) and Metz (l. to Kubot/Roger-Vasselin)

• World No. 18 Herbert is 4-0 lifetime at Indian Wells and World No. 13 Mahut is 6-3, reaching QF in 2014 w/Tsonga (d. Anderson/Haase and Nestor/Zimonjic, l. to Bryan/Bryan)

• Herbert is 3-3 in doubles finals and Mahut is 11-10 in doubles finals (won Rotterdam w/Pospisil last month)

Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock will have a chance to make it two doubles titles in a row at the BNP Paribas Open.

The No. 6 seeds were a point away from losing at 8-9 in the Match Tie-break, but recovered to beat Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez in the semi-finals on Friday. Pospisil is now 9-1 when playing doubles at Indian Wells, while Sock is undefeated in nine outings. As a team, they now own a 6-1 record in 2016.

“We made a slower start than in some of our other matches,” Sock said. “But we decided to switch sides on the return for the second set and for the Match Tie-break, and that helped us get into some more return games. We were able to break early in the second set, which gave us some momentum we were able to ride for the rest of the match.”

The Canadian-American duo lost the only break point of the first set to fall behind, but saved five break points in the second set to force a Match Tie-break. Lopez/Lopez landed 82 per cent of first serves in the second stanza, but did not win a point (0/4) on their second serve.

Pospisil/Sock will be playing for their fifth tour-level title as a team on Saturday against reigning US Open champions Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut. Last year, Pospisil/Sock beat Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan in the quarter-finals before defeating Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini in the final.

“[Herbert/Mahut] is one of the more consistent teams on tour,” Pospisil said. “But if we serve well and do what we’ve been doing, we have a shot. Anytime we serve well, we’re a tough team to beat.”

To watch the BNP Paribas Open online, visit TennisTV.com.

The newest promising face in Canadian tennis may have been born this week, with Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov enjoying a dream run at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Drummondville.

The 16-year-old entered the main draw courtesy of a wild card, but has been making the most of his opportunity. Making just his second main draw appearance at an ATP Challenger Tour event, he dispatched fellow Canadian Felip Peliwo in the opening round, making him the first player born in the year 1999 to win a match on the ATP Challenger Tour. Shapovalov followed that win up with a shocking upset in the second round over No. 2 seed and World No. 101 Austin Krajicek. He then prevailed in the quarter-finals over No. 5 seed Renzo Olivo, when the Argentinian was forced to retire due to injury, setting the Canadian up for a semi-final showdown on Saturday against No. 4 seed Daniel Evans.

With his breakthrough run, Shapovalov has become the first 16-year-old to reach the semi-finals of a Challenger since Stefan Kozlov achieved that feat in Sacramento in October 2014.

“I’m very excited to have earned my first ATP Challenger Tour win, especially since it is in my home country,” said Shapovalov. “I’m pleased to be having a great run this week, achieving some good wins over top players. I feel like the home crowd has helped me to get through some tough matches. I’m also very grateful to have a strong supporting team around me who have helped me in different ways to ensure that I stay on the right path.”

Currently ranked No. 775 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, Shapovalov has already climbed more than 300 spots since the start of the year. He is projected to jump another 200 spots in the rankings after his strong showing this week, but could move even higher if he reaches the finals in Drummondville or wins the tournament.

He now joins another fellow Canadian teenager, Felix Auger Aliassime, in making a rapid rise up the Emirates ATP Rankings. Fittingly, the pair teamed up to win the boys’ doubles title at last year’s US Open.

Shapovalov isn’t the only Canadian player to enjoy success this week in Drummondville, though. He joined Philip Bester, Peter Polansky and Frank Dancevic in reaching the quarter-finals, marking the first time four Canadians advanced to the last eight of a Challenger event since Calgary in 1993.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will face Rafael Nadal in a blockbuster semi-final at the BNP Paribas Open after defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(2), 7-6(2) on Friday in Indian Wells.

Earlier in the day, Nadal was a 6-4, 6-3 winner over Kei Nishikori.

Djokovic and Nadal will meet for the 48th time, with Djokovic leading their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 24-23. The Serb has won nine of their past 10 meetings, with Nadal’s only victory in that spell coming in the 2014 Roland Garros final.

This will be the fourth time the pair has met at Indian Wells. Nadal won their first battle in the 2007 final, but Djokovic since beat the Spaniard in the 2008 semifinals and the 2011 final.

“He’s a great competitor, a great fighter,” said Djokovic. “He’s been getting himself out of trouble a few times this week and showing why he’s one of the best players in the history of the game.

“He never gives up. He always makes you play an extra shot. Always makes you earn the win. I’m going into tomorrow’s match knowing what’s expected of me and I know how to get ready.

“I won the past couple of times we played against each other, so maybe that can give me a slight mental advantage coming into the court. But everything is open. It’s the semi-finals. We both have won multiple titles here and hopefully we can come up with some good tennis. I’m hoping I can deliver my best game tomorrow.”

The 28-year-old Djokovic is bidding to reach the final of this ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament for the sixth time. In addition to his runner-up showing against Nadal in 2007, the Serb lifted the trophy in 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2015.

Watch live tennis at tennistv.com. Visit BNP Paribas Open Official Website.

With 430 million bicycle owners in China, the country is known as the biking capital of the world. This week at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Guangzhou, several players have been joining the trend by biking to and from the tournament venue and hotel.

Blaz Rola, Dudi Sela and Wu Di are just a few players who are forgoing the tournament shuttle between the venue and hotel, instead choosing to ride a bike each day. Wu revealed he’s even made the bike rides an annual tradition since he first started playing in Guangzhou.

“I like the feeling of riding in this beautiful area, especially when the weather is good,” he said. Davide [his coach] will walk to the venue. Maybe because this is something for young people!”

The Landmark International Hotel has been providing bikes for all of the players to use this week. Sela explained that he’s been “borrowing a bicycle from the hotel like most of the players.” Since it’s only a short ride between the tennis center and hotel, players don’t have to worry about tiring their legs out for matches while still enjoying an experience that’s unique to the tournament.

“Almost every player will choose to ride a bike to the tennis center. It takes less than 10 minutes, so it’s convenient,” said Rola. “The air here is very fresh. When the weather is good, it’s a beautiful ride with the blue sky and the trees on the side of the road. It’s a very special experience.”

Tournament director Chen Qi explained that the Guangzhou government has made an active effort to build green space in recent years, prompting the tournament hotel to offer bikes as a way to experience it. With the overwhelming popularity of the bike rides among the players, he anticipates it will continue to be a trend at the tournament for years to come.

“I remember after Wu Di and all the Chinese players started using the bicycle, the foreign players found out and began doing the same,” said Chen. “It must be very convenient for them, so they keep doing this every year.”