Rafael Nadal sets Stefanos Tsitsipas clash in the Barcelona Open final

Playing his 69th Barcelona Open match, the 11-time champion Rafael Nadal earned the 65th victory, beating Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 28 minutes.

It was Nadal's eighth triumph over Carreno Busta from as many matches, never losing a set against the younger Spaniard on the slowest surface. Thus, Nadal is through to his 12th Barcelona Open final, winning the previous 11 and wishing for another success against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday. Rafa claimed the opening game with an ace and scored a break in the next one for an early lead.

Another powerful serve pushed the crowd's favorite 4-1 up before he grabbed the second break that sent him further in front. Carreno Busta reduced the deficit to 3-5 with an ace and earned three break chances in the next one, which came out of nowhere. Rafa remained focused and saved them all to clinch the set and gain a boost.

Nadal broke in the second set's first game and came back from 30-0 down in game two to confirm the advantage. Carreno Busta lost serve again to find himself 3-0 down before he finally took a game at 0-4 with a powerful serve. Serving at 1-5, the younger Spaniard fired a backhand down the line winner to stay in the match before Nadal closed it in the following game with an ace to sail into the title match.