INDIAN WELLS, Calif. Bryce Brown Jersey . - Novak Djokovic beat John Isner 7-5, 6-7 (2), 6-1 on Saturday to reach the final of the BNP Paribas Open, where hell resume his longtime rivalry with Roger Federer. "Its always tense. Its always emotional. Its always close," Djokovic said of the looming match up. "I look forward to it." Federer had a much easier time in the semifinals, beating Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine 6-3, 6-1 and putting himself in position to win a fifth career title at Indian Wells. Djokovic is a two-time winner here. Federer leads their rivalry 17-15, having beaten Djokovic two weeks ago in the semifinals at Dubai. Before that, Djokovic had won three straight times over the Swiss star. Second-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska will play Flavia Pennetta in the womens final Sunday before the mens title is decided. Djokovic struggled with the big-serving Isner, who beat him here in the semis two years ago before losing to Federer in the final. "With that serve, obviously, he can win against anybody on a good day," Djokovic said. "I thought I returned really well today and allowed myself to have a bunch of opportunities on his service games." Djokovic had a chance to win in two sets, breaking Isner to go up 5-4 and then again at 6-5. But the American broke back at love to level at 6-6, then and then dominated in the tiebreaker. Isner won four straight points and served his sixth ace to win it 7-2 and force the decisive third set. "When you get to the tiebreaker with John Isner, whoever you are, youre not a favourite," Djokovic said. "I just tried to hang in there, stay mentally tough when I lost the second set, and played a great third." Djokovic broke Isner for a 3-1 lead in the third. Djokovic survived a break point in the next game and held for a 4-1 lead. Isner called for the trainer a second time in the match to work on an area above his left knee before he got broken to trail 5-1, missing two straight forehands. Djokovic came up with his own big serve on match point that Isner couldnt return. "It prevented me from being able to go after my serve like I wanted to, but thats not the reason I lost," Isner said about having tightness in his knee. "I am disappointed, but at the same time, I had a good week here." Isner had eight aces to Djokovics seven, and the American managed 31 winners, just one more than Djokovic. While Djokovic had to sweat out his victory, Federer was coolly efficient on the hot day in the desert, firing seven aces and connecting on 72 per cent of his first serves in the match that lasted barely an hour. "Having the fire and wanting to win every single match and in the practice trying to improve as much as you can, Ive got the good balance right now, so its very encouraging," Federer said. Federer never faced a break point on his serve while breaking Dolgopolov four times, including a seven-deuce game to go up 4-1 in the second set. Dolgopolov had a chance to win that game four times, but each time his unforced error brought it back to deuce. Federer is aiming to make Indian Wells his second title of the year. Hes coming off a victory two weeks ago at Dubai, and has a 19-2 match record this year. He won titles here from 2004-06 and again in 2012. A year ago at Indian Wells, Federer injured his back during a match and took nearly a month to feel better. After Wimbledon, he re-injured his back and found himself questioning everything, leading to an uneven year for the sports once dominant player. Back here again, Federer feels like a new man. "Im just playing more freely overall and with more confidence because I can get to more balls without thinking," he said. "I can wake up without feeling sore. I can go to bed not feeling like I hope I feel better tomorrow. I dont have these thoughts going through my mind and Im not worried every single minute of the day." Sammy Watkins Jersey . Justin Dowling, Travis Morin and Francis Wathier also scored for the Stars (22-10-5), who bypassed Abbotsford for top spot in the West Division, and Mike Hedden tacked on two assists. Defenceman John Ramage was a team-worst minus-4 for the Heat (23-13-2), who dropped their fourth game in a row. Colton Schmidt Jersey . Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans ended up with the bigger problem.SOCHI, Russia - Declan Farmer had two goals and an assist Thursday as the United States defeated Canada 3-0 in the sledge hockey semifinals at the Sochi Paralympic Winter Games. Joshua Pauls added a goal and an assist for the U.S., while Steve Cash made 11 saves to get the shutout. The Americans will face Russia in Saturdays gold-medal game at Shayba Arena after the hosts defeated Norway 4-0 in Thursdays other semifinal. Corbin Watson stopped seven shots for Canada, which will play Norway for bronze on Saturday. Thursdays result was a bitter pill to swallow for the Canadians, who were trying to become the first country to sweep mens, womens and sledge hockey at an Olympic and Paralympic Games. Gold medallists in 2006, Canada was also looking to avenge a disappointing fourth-place finish on home soil in Vancouver in 2010 and was perfect through three round-robin games, outscoring the opposition 15-1. The Americans, meanwhile, will play for gold for the second straight Paralympics after winning the tournament four years ago. The U.S. was upset by Russia 2-1 in their final group game here to set up a semifinal against their bitter rivals. Canada came in having won the 2013 world chhampionship and world sledge hockey challenge — with both victories coming over the U. Jerry Hughes Elite Jersey. S. — but lost two of three exhibition meetings with the Americans in the leadup to the Paralympics. In other results, Torontos Chris Williamson and guide Nick Brush of Panorama, B.C., won Canadas sixth alpine skiing medal of the games, claiming bronze in the visually impaired mens slalom. Williamson finished in one minute 48.61 seconds, behind Russias Valerii Redkozubov (1:43.21) and Spains Yon Santacana-Maiztegui (1:46.82). Kimberly Joines of Rossland, B.C., was awarded the bronze medal from Wednesdays womens sit-ski slalom. Joines had finished in the silver-medal position, but was bumped down a rank when Germanys Anna Schaffelhuber successfully appealed her disqualification and won gold. It was a mixed day for Canada in wheelchair curling. Canada thrashed Slovakia 16-0 before losing 12-1 to Finland. Canada finished the round-robin in second place at 7-2 and will face China in a semifinal on Saturday. Canada is third in the overall medal standings with 10 medals (two gold, two silver, six bronze). Russia leads with 50 medals, followed by Ukraine with 14. cheap jerseys ' ' '
