Wellington, Mar 16 : Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer has reached the finals of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells in California on Saturday, closing on the title which he had won four times in the past.

The 17-time Major winner, who won at Indian Wells from 2004-06 and again in 2012, has defeated Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine 6-3, 6-1 and will meet world number two Novak Djokovic in the final after the Serbian player dispatched American John Isner 5-7 7-6 6-1 in the other semifinal.

According to Stuff. co. nz, Federer, who played a coolly efficient game on a hot day in the Californian desert, said that he believes he has a good balance now as he has the fire and the desire to win every single match, which is very encouraging for him.

Federer, who will try to win his second title of the year in the final, is coming off a victory two weeks ago at Dubai, and his 19-2 match record this year is his best start since he began 23-2 two years ago.

Meanwhile, the report added that No 2 seed Agnieszka Radwanska would play Flavia Pennetta in the women's final. (ANI)