No. 7 Andy Roddick beat defending champion Novak Djokovic, 6-3, 6-2, yesterday and will face No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, Calif.

Nadal, trying for his second Indian Wells title in three years, rolled to a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Juan Martin del Potro. No. 2 Roger Federer, who won the title three consecutive years beginning in 2004, faces No. 4 Andy Murray in the other semifinal.

"It's just one of the days when you really don't feel comfortable on the court," Djokovic said. "I just didn't have any momentum — no feel for the ball, no movement. Just no solutions."

On the women's side, defending champion Ana Ivanovic and Vera Zvonareva earned spots in tomorrow's final. Ivanovic defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-2, 6-3. Zvonareva beat Victoria Azarenka, 6-3, 6-3.

GOLF

TWO TIED IN TRANSITIONS

Nick Watney, coming off a wrenching one-shot loss to Phil Mickelson at Doral, kept right on rolling yesterday with a 4-under 67 at the Transitions Championship at Palm Harbor, Fla., to share the 36-hole lead with Steve Stricker.

It will be the third straight weekend round that Watney will be in the final group. He played with Mickelson the last two rounds at the CA Championship.

"I guess I'm playing very well, but it really seems like this is just what I'm supposed to be doing," Watney said.

Stricker also had a bogey-free 67 for his 10th straight sub-par round. They were at 6-under 136 on the Innisbtook Copperhead Course with five players at 137.

"I know that I've been playing well," Stricker said. "I know I've been shooting some good scores. But no, I haven't paid attention to that."

Hawai'i Tour players Parker McLachlin and Dean Wilson missed the cut of 143. McLachlin, a Punahou alum, shot 72—146, while Wilson, a Castle High alum, shot 76—148.

OCHOA LEADS IN MEXICO

Lorena Ochoa is back home and leading the Mastercard Classic at Huxquilucan, Mexico.

The LPGA's No. 1 player shot a 7-under 65 on the hilly BosqueReal course for a two-stroke lead over Na Yeon Choi.

"To all those who came here, I am very grateful," Ochoa said. "That is why I love to play in Mexico, in front of my people."

Brittany Lang and Yani Tseng shot 68s and were tied for third.

HOCKEY

WOMEN'S FINAL SET

National scoring leader Hilary Knight scored twice and assisted on Erika Lawler's two goals in top-seeded Wisconsin's 5-1 victory over defending champion Minnesota Duluth yesterday in the NCAA women's hockey semifinals at Boston.

With the victory in the rematch of the last two title games, Wisconsin will face Mercyhurst — a 5-4 winner over Minnesota in the second semifinal — in tomorrow's final. Wisconsin won titles in 2006 and 2007.

SOCCER

CHING ON U.S. ROSTER

Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley headlined a 22-man roster announced yesterday for the U.S. World Cup qualifiers at El Salvador on March 28 and against Trinidad and Tobago on April 1 in Nashville, Tenn.

Kamehameha alum Brian Ching, who was not on the U.S. roster for the match against Mexico on Feb. 11 which opened the final round of qualifying in the North and Central American and Caribbean region, will make the trip to El Salvador. Bradley scored twice as the U.S. team beat Mexico, 2-0.