Inspired Ljubicic dumps Rafael Nadal out of Indian Wells

FORMER world number three Ivan Ljubicic has dumped defending champion Rafael Nadal out of the BNP Paribas Masters at Indian Wells.

TOO HOT TO HANDLE: Ivan Ljubicic proves too strong in California and sends defending champion Rafael Nadal packing (Getty Images)

Ljubicic, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Friday, roared back from a set down to grind the Spaniard down before wrapping up a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (1) victory - only his second against Nadal in six attempts.

Nadal has shown glimpses of the form that saw him top the world rankings before his long-standing knee troubles surfaced, but he had no answer for the inspired Croat in California.

The Spaniard, who was bidding for a third Indian Wells crown, began brightly enough and cruised to the first set.

His ground-strokes were firing on all cylinders and consistently finding their mark but the tide well and truly changed in the second set.

Ljubicic served impeccably throughout and whereas Nadal found an answer in the first set, he had no reply in the second and the Croat levelled proceedings - taking his chance ruthlessly to take the set 6-4.

The third was a cagey affair with neither player able to seize the initiative but Ljubicic turned the screw in the tie-break and Nadal buckled, handing the Croat a place in the final where he will meet Andy Roddick, after he beat Swede Robin Soderling 6-4 3-6 6-3.