Rafael Nadal continued his march towards an unprecedented ninth Barcelona Open title after he beat Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets in the
ADVERTISEMENTRafael Nadal continued his march towards an unprecedented ninth Barcelona Open title after he beat Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets in the semi-finals.
The Spaniard who only last week won a record ninth Monte Carlo Masters crown, was barely troubled and clinically saw off the German’s challenge winning through 6-3, 6-3.
The result sent the World No. 5 into his 101st tour-level final where he will meet two-time defending champion Kei Nishikori against whom Nadal holds an 8-1 head-to-head advantage.
The Japanese number one is hunting a three-peat on the red dust of the Catalan capital.
He stretched his win streak in Barcelona to 14 consecutive matches with victory over Benoit Paire in the semis.
The World number six, who won a third consecutive Memphis title in February, converted five of nine break points en route to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over the Frenchman.
Sunday’s showpiece match will be the 26-year-old’s 18th tour-level final.
.