Rafael Nadal stayed on course for a third consecutive Madrid Open title as he proved too strong for the Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych 7-6 (7/3), 6-1.

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The Spaniard will face either a rematch of last year’s final against Kei Nishikori or world number three Andy Murray in Sunday’s final.

“Tomas is a player that is playing spectacularly this year, he is competing in all the tournaments and I had to be at a high level to beat him,” said Nadal.

“It is without doubt one of the best matches I have played all year.

“I am very happy. This week was vital for me and to be in the final is great news. Last year Madrid helped me a lot and this year I think it is again.”

Nadal has yet to win a tournament this on the European clay after falling to world number one Novak Djokovic in the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals and a stunning defeat to Fabio Fognini early at the Barcelona Open last month.

However, the nine-time French Open champion showed signs of his best form back on his favoured surface in sealing victory in temperatures which nudged 30 degrees in just under two hours on court.

Nadal was blown away by Berdych earlier this year in the Australian Open quarter-finals, but always looked sure to extend his record over the world number seven to 7-0 on clay after edging a tight first set on the tie-break with neither player able to break serve.

The 14-time Grand Slam champion finally broke through Berdych’s resistence in a marathon fourth game in the second set on his third break point opportunity to lead 3-1 and won the next three games to reach the final in the Spanish capital for a seventh time.