Defending champion Rafael Nadal saw-off the challenge of
compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets to reach the ATP Mutua Madrid
Open final.
The world No 1 beat his unseeded opponent 6-4 6-3 in one
hour 43 minutes to record his 50th straight semi-final win on clay.
It looked like it could be an easy day for the defending
champion when he broke the Bautista Agut serve in the opening game.
However, the world number 45 fought back and broke Nadal
to level the first set at 3-3.
But Nadal upped his tempo, taking seven games on the trot
to win the first set and move a double break up in the second.
Bautista Agut again showed the fighting spirit which had
carried him to the last four, by first surviving two break points and then
breaking Nadal to close to 4-3.
However, Nadal again found an extra gear to take the
final two games and claim the victory.
The Spanish ace will next face either compatriot David
Ferrer or Japanese star Kei Nishikori in Sunday's showpiece as he bids to win
his fourth title at the event.
The 13-time Grand Slam champion is aiming for his first
title of the European clay court season after suffering shock defeats in the
quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters - where he was beaten by Ferrer - and
Barcelona Open.
Culled from Skysports
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