Novak Djokovic has set up a meeting with Roger Federer in the final of the Indian Wells Masters courtesy of a 7-5 (2)6-7 6-1 victory over John Isner this evening.
Both players recorded love games on their own serves to start off the semi-final tie, but Djokovic soon set about troubling Isner, forcing two break points in the third game before the American fought back to hold.
Isner threatened in the 10th game as well, racing into a 40-0 lead to earn three set points, but Djokovic recovered to win the game and level the score.
The world number two then broke Isner in the very next game to take control of the set, before holding on to his own serve to win the opener 7-5.
It was more of the same in the second set as both players fiercely protected their own serve until the ninth game, when Djokovic managed to break Isner again.
However, the Serb could not see out the victory as Isner broke right back to level the score once again in the second set.
Djokovic looked to have regained the advantage straight away when he won against the serve once more, but the 28-year-old again responded immediately to force a tie-break, which he dominated to take 7-2.
Despite forcing a deciding set, Isner's troublesome left knee became a deciding factor as the American struggled to move around the court with any conviction.
His lack of mobility allowed the Serb to seize control of the match and continually break Isner's serve.
In the end, Djokovic wrapped up the decisive set 6-1 to set up a meeting with Federer, who saw off Alexandr Dolgopolov to progress to the final.
Barney Corkhill
