Rafael Nadal continued his serene progress in pursuit of consecutive Madrid Open crowns when he swept past Spanish compatriot Roberto Bautista 6-4 6-3 on Saturday and will face Japan's Kei Nishikori in the final.
The world number one, chasing a 63rd career title and a 44th on clay, has not been on top form on his favoured surface this year, suffering surprise defeats in the quarter-finals at Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
However, he has shown glimpses of his dominant best in front of adoring fans in the Spanish capital, where he is yet to drop a set, as he warms up for a tilt at a record-extending ninth French Open title starting at the end of the month.
Nadal's victory against the unheralded Bautista ended the world number 45's best run at a Masters event and secured a place in the final where he will play Nishikori, who edged past another Spaniard, fifth seed David Ferrer, 7-6 5-7 6-3.
The Japanese 10th seed, who won his first clay title in Barcelona last month, is through to his debut Masters final and will become the first man from the Asian nation to break into the top 10 when the rankings are updated on Monday.
