World number two Rafael Nadal powered to a 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over James Blake on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open.

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Nadal defeated his American rival for the first time in his career at the Pacific Life Open quarter-finals two weeks ago and replicated the feat on Wednesday.

"This one was a little more disappointing," Blake said.

"Last week I feel like I played my game. Just didn't play it well enough last week.

"This week I felt like I played my game for a while, and then I got a little indecisive."

Blake made far too many mistakes during the one hour, 55 minute contest, producing 31 unforced errors compared with just 13 for Nadal.

The American also offered Nadal 19 opportunities to break his serve -- with the triple French Open champion breaking four times in total.

Nadal turned the match in his favour when he broke Blake with a sizzling backhand passing shot to go 5-3 up in the second set.

He greeted the break with his trademark fist pump and from then on Blake's challenge faded.

"He started (out) playing so aggressive," said Nadal of losing the first set.

"I didn't have many chances in the beginning. I couldn't touch the ball. I couldn't get rhythm in the beginning, nothing."

But the Spaniard said he remained focused and managed to win his own serve easily.

"Right now I am feeling like I am playing at my best level, so that's important, to come to the clay season with more confidence," Nadal said.

Nadal will play either world number 10 Tomas Berdych or Russia's Igor Andreev in the semis.

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