The 19-year-old Spaniard was tested in the first set when Baghdatis came back from a three-game deficit, however Nadal quickly recovered as he grabbed the following eight consecutive games to seal a 7-5, 6-0 victory over the Cypriot.

The reigning French Open champion next takes on 12th-seeded American, James Blake, who was responsible for Nadal’s exit from the US Open last year.

"It will be a very difficult match. He's (Blake) playing very tough," Nadal was quoted as saying by the tournament’s official website.

"I will have to play a very good match. I have a lot of motivation after losing to him last year (at the US Open). If I play well I know I will always have a chance to win."

Blake, who has already won two titles this year in Sydney and Las Vegas, has broken into the world’s top ten for the first time in his career after defeating Igor Andreev in the quarter-finals on Friday.

"It is a significant number obviously to say that I'm there is great," said Blake on entering the world’s top ten.

"I just want to keep getting better, play this level, continue to improve," added the 26-year-old American.

Indian Wells top-seed and two-time defending champion, Roger Federer will feature in the other semi-final on Saturday against unseeded Thai, Paradorn Srichaphan.