Nadal thrashes Federer

Indiana Wells: Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer 6-4, 6-2 in the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California, notching his biggest win since his return from a seven-month layoff due to a knee injury. Nadal needed barely one and half hours to close out the defending champion in their 29th career meeting. The Spaniard faced just two break points on his serve in the match. Nadal returned to the ATP Tour a month ago, winning two of three tournaments on clay. He had his left knee wrapped on Thursday and at times appeared to have a slight limp.A "No question, he's a bit careful at times, his movement. That's totally normal," Federer said. "Hasn't played for some time on hard court. I don't know if it's careful or if it's just getting used to it again." Nadal and Federer usually don't play each other until the semifinals or finals of tournaments, but the Indian Wells draw pitted them against each other in their earliest meeting since a third-round match at Miami in 2004 � the first time they played one another.