World number one Rafael Nadal progressed into the final of the Rome Masters after beating Richard Gasquet and he will now play the winner of the match between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic.

The Spaniard advanced after two contrasting sets in a 7-5 6-1 win.

He broke the 16th seed Gasquet to lead 6-5 on his way to taking the first set before cruising in the second.

Afterwards, Nadal said. It was a complicated situation on my serve in the first set but I managed to pull through. I'm happy to make the final after a difficult week.

And on the prospect of another meeting with Djokovic in the final, he said, Every aspect of the game will be important. I know he is playing at an exceptional level right now but I just have to fight to the end like I always do.

If I don't beat him Sunday, then the next match. I'm happy with my clay-court season. How I'm playing in the last couple of matches is the way forward, more aggressively.

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