Djokovic, the Serbian who has won the last two editions of the Indian Wells Masters as well as the 2008 and 2011 events, has been increasingly dominant over Nadal in recent times, winning their last meeting 6-1, 6-2 in Doha in January.

But the Spaniard, who has been ravaged by injury over the last two seasons, has shown signs of a resurgence in recent days, impressively beating Japan's Kei Nishikori in his quarter-final.

Nadal began well again, breaking his opponent early in the first set to establish a 2-0 lead.

Djokovic came back, however, saving a set point to break back and force a tie break.

He then raised his level as only a world number one can to take the set and then sweep through the second, 6-2.

Djokovic will now face Milos Raonic in the final after the Canadian overcame surprise semi-finallist David Goffin of Belgium, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Raonic, playing in his first event since the Australian Open following an adductor tear, impressively bounced back from losing the second set.

There were mixed fortunes for the host nation in the two doubles finals which brought proceedings to a close today.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands and CoCo Vandeweghe made a superb start to their fledgling women's partnership to recovering from a set down to beat German-Czech pairing Julia Goerges and Karolina Pliskova, 4-6, 6-4, 10-6.

France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut overcame US defending champions Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock in the men's doubles final, prevailing 6-3, 7-6.

Both the men's and women's singles finals will take place tomorrow.