Rafael Nadal survived a tricky tie with Tomas Berdych to secure a date with American John Isner in the final of Western & Southern Open.
Nadal boasts a good record against Czech Berdych and continued his fine run of form, despite being made to work for the 7-5 7-6 (7-4) victory.
The Spaniard has not lost to Berdych since 2006, although prior to the match he insisted he was not leaving anything to chance.
The former world number one edged a tense first set and showed his class by dropping just four points on serve.
However, Berdych responded well and utilised his power to open up a 4-2 lead in the second and restore a glimmer of hope.
The man from the Balearic Islands though was not prepared to sit back and let the second set slip away as he fought his way back into the match and eventually picked up the win via a tie-break.
Nadal said: “I think I played a very good match this afternoon against a very difficult opponent who came to this match playing very well, and I have to be very, very happy about everything.”
World number 22 Isner will now meet Nadal in the final at Cincinnati as he looks to continue on a fantastic journey which has seen him defeat Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro to set up the clash with the Spaniard.
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