Nadal to face Ferrer in Barcelona final

World number one Rafael Nadal beat Russian third seed Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-2 in the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open on Saturday to stay on course for a fifth successive title at the Catalan event.

In a repeat of last year's final, the Spanish top seed will play compatriot David Ferrer on Sunday after the fourth seed came back from a set down to defeat fifth-seeded Chilean Fernando Gonzalez 2-6, 6-2, 7-6.

World number eight Davydenko had three break points early in the match but failed to capitalise and Nadal found his range on the clay in breezy conditions to break twice and take the opening set.

After losing his serve again in the second set, Davydenko failed to convert chances to break back and Nadal sealed victory on the Russian's serve on his first match point with a thumping backhand drive that caught the line.

"It wasn't a great performance but I didn't make too many errors," the 22-year-old Mallorcan said at a news conference.

"It was a hard match, even if that is not necessarily reflected in the result."

Nadal has only lost four times on clay since 2005, most recently to fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero in the second round of last year's Rome Masters.

"Tomorrow I will try to play at my best and if I manage that then I am confident of my chances," he said.

BIG HITTER

Ferrer looked well out of sorts in the opening set against the big-hitting Gonzalez but rediscovered his form to take the second with two breaks of the Chilean's serve.

He was broken when serving for the match at 5-3 in the final set but recovered to win the tiebreak 7-5, clinching victory when Gonzalez netted a forehand.

Sunday's final, however, could be affected by the heavy showers that are forecast for the Barcelona area.