INDIAN WELLS, California (AFP) - Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic ousted defending champion Rafael Nadal in straight sets here Saturday to reach the final of the 5.7 million-dollar Pacific Life Open.

Djokovic, the third seed, defeated second-seeded Nadal 6-3, 6-2, turning the tables on the man who beat him in the final of this WTA and ATP Masters Series tournament last year.

Djokovic gained the upper hand in the second set with a service break in the fifth game as Nadal knocked a forehand wide. He broke again in the seventh game and took the match after an hour and 27 minutes when Nadal dumped a service return into the net.

After an early exchange of breaks in the opening set, Djokovic earned the key break in the eighth game - with a little help from the net cord on break point.

Between sets, Nadal received treatment on court for a troublesome toe. Djokovic will face American Mardy Fish in the final.

Fish stunned world number one Roger Federer in straight sets on Saturday.

Fish, ranked 98th in the world, defeated the Swiss superstar 6-3, 6-2.

He is the lowest-ranked player to beat Federer since then 101st-ranked Richard Gasquet of France beat Federer at Monte Carlo in 2005.

The victory sends Fish into Sunday's championship match of the ATP Masters Series event against Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic.

The third-seeded Serbian defeated second seed Rafael Nadal of Spain 6-3, 6-2 in Saturday's other semi-final.