Rafael Nadal secured his place in the Italian Open final with a 6-4 6-4 win over American Reilly Opelka.

At 2-1 down in the first set Nadal had to save four break points, but he then broke his big-hitting rival in the next game before going on to claim the set.

One break of serve was also enough for the 34-year-old Spaniard in the second set as he secured victory in Rome.

Nadal will play world number one Novak Djokovic, who beat Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-2, in the final.

Djokovic was on court twice on Saturday as he came from a set down to beat Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in their rain-affected quarter-final before playing Sonego after Nadal’s match.

Against Tsitsipas, the Serb trailed 6-4 2-1 when the match was suspended because of rain on Friday, but he broke serve twice when it resumed on Saturday to force a decider.

He then twice recovered from a break down in a see-saw final set to win 4-6 7-5 7-5 and reach the last four.

“Rome is such an important tournament for me. To be in the final again is so important for me,” said Nadal.

“In terms of preparation for [the French Open at] Roland Garros, I consider the job done. Tomorrow is not at all preparation. It’s a final, an important one, and I want to be competitive.”

Djokovic vs Nadal head to head
29-27 Djokovic overall
18-7 Nadal on clay
7-6 Djokovic in Masters 1000 finals
5-3 Nadal in the Italian Open

Most prolific men’s tennis rivalry since Laver vs Rosewall & the most prolific of the Open era.