ROME, May 18 (UPI) -- Rafael Nadal reached his eighth final in as many tournaments and second-seeded Roger Federer also notched a semifinal victory Saturday at the Italian Masters.
Spain's Nadal needed 78 minutes to get past Czech Tomas Berdych 6-2, 6-4 and clinch a spot in Sunday's championship match at the French Open tuneup in Rome.
Nadal broke Berdych's serve twice in the first set and again in the ninth game of the second, improving his career record at Foro Italico to 40-2.
He goes on to face Swiss superstar Federer, who secured his place in the final with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 decision over Frenchman Benoit Paire.
Federer saved 5-of-6 break points in the win, and will face Nadal for the 30th time in his career and the second time this year.
Nadal waltzed to a 6-4, 6-2 win over Federer in the Indian Wells quarterfinals in March, improving to 19-10 against the Swiss.
