Djokovic, Nadal to play Italian Open final

May 19, 2012 - 8:18 PM Rome, Italy (Sports Network) - To win his sixth Italian Open title, Rafael Nadal will have to beat a familiar opponent.

Nadal and Novak Djokovic advanced to the final of the $3.145 million event with straight-set wins Saturday in a star-studded pair of semifinals.

After the second-seeded Nadal knocked off fellow Spaniard Ferrer, world No. 1 Djokovic topped Roger Federer to set up a rematch of last year's final, won by Djokovic.

Nadal needed just over two hours for a 7-6 (8-6), 6-0 win. The 20-time ATP World Tour Masters titlist has won the Italian Open five of the last seven years, including two in a row before losing to Djokovic last season.

Nadal, who improved to 35-2 lifetime at this event, is chasing his 49th career title. He improved to 15-4 lifetime against Ferrer, including a victory in a final in Barcelona last month and a win in the Italian Open final two years ago.

He beat Djokovic for one of his five Italian Open titles in 2009.

"Best thing possible after a fantastic time in Barcelona and Montecarlo, to keep playing in clay tournament and then in the final without losing a set is something fantastic and I am happy," Nadal said.

Djokovic, who also won this event in 2008, fended off six aces to beat the third-seeded Federer 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) in 99 minutes.

He improved to 10-14 vs. the Swiss icon and will be after his 31st career title on Sunday.

The winner of the final will earn $595,000.