MADRID – Top-ranked Rafael Nadal has persevered past countryman Roberto Bautista Agut for a 6-4, 6-4 win that returns him to the Madrid Open final.
Nadal reached his first clay final since winning in Rio de Janeiro in February.
He broke Bautista Agut's opening service game and never trailed.
Bautista Agut — playing in his first career Masters series semifinal — couldn't match the experience of Nadal, who continues to improve after coming to the Magic Box center having lost at consecutive clay tournaments for the first time in a decade.
Nadal plays for his fourth Madrid title against either Japan's Kei Nishikori or fellow Spaniard David Ferrer.
Earlier, Maria Sharapova held her nerve to reach her second consecutive women's final, where she will play Simona Halep of Romania.
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