Roger Federer recorded his best ever start to a calendar year after overcoming adversity to beat Borna Coric in Indian Wells.
The world number one, who has won the Australian Open and the Rotterdam Open, took his record to 17-0 for 2018, the longest winning start to a year in his glittering career.
It looked like he would end that run just one short of his previous best as Coric was two games away from a stunning upset, but Federer showed his winning instinct and came back to win 5-7 6-4 6-4 and reach the final of the BNP Paribas Open.
Coric, who beat Andy Murray in Madrid last year, is tipped for the top and won the final three games of the first set to take an impressive lead.
Things got even better when he broke in the opening game of the second set and then held to get to a 4-2 lead.
But Federer kicked into survival mode and reeled off four games in a row to level up at 1-1.
After the pair exchanged early breaks, Federer made another decisive break at 5-4 in the final set to keep on course to defend his title.
He will face Juan Martin del Potro in the final, after the former US Open champion beat Canada's Milos Raonic 6-2 6-3.
Sky Bet make Federer their 1/3 favourite, with del Potro 5/2.
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