Spain's Rafael Nadal dominated his 30th meeting with Swiss rival Roger Federer to secure his seventh title in nine years at the Rome Masters on Sunday. Nadal's 6-1, 6-3 triumph means he now leads Federer 20-10 in their series, with 13 of his wins coming on clay. The Spaniard, winning his sixth title from eight finals this season after returning from a seven-month injury absence, showed he is back to his best on his preferred surface with a masterclass which should boost his hopes of extending his record French Open tally to eight wins at Roland Garros next week.

Rome, May 18 (EFE).- Spain's Rafael Nadal produced his best tennis of this year's Rome Masters on Saturday, starting the match on fire and finishing strong to claim a 6-2, 6-4 semifinal victory over Czech Tomas Berdych. Next up for the six-time Rome champion in Sunday's final will be archrival Roger Federer, who defeated surprise semifinalist Benoit Paire of France 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 in the night match. Nadal was in absolute peak form in the first set, seizing control of nearly every point with deep, accurate and heavily spun ground strokes.

Rafael Nadal sealed his fifth title in seven tournaments since returning from a seven-month injury layoff as he claimed a third Madrid Masters title with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Stanislas Wawrinka on Sunday. Nadal now has 55 career titles with 40 coming on clay, an astonishing record that prompted Wawrinka to describe the Spaniard as a "killer" on clay courts. Nadal, who holds a 9-0 career record over Switzerland's Wawrinka, rolled through the first set thanks to two early breaks in little over half an hour.

Rafael Nadal described reaching the final of the Madrid Masters as a "dream" after he stormed into his seventh consecutive final since returning from a seven-month injury layoff with 6-0, 6-4 win over compatriot Pablo Andujar. "To be able to return to a final here at home, in Madrid is a dream," he said. "I am very happy and thankful for what I have been able to complete during this season. "To be in the final of this Masters gives me a special excitement, now all that is left to do is wait for the final tomorrow."