Barcelona Open: Nadal storms into final, in sight of Vilas clay record

IMAGE: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany at the Barcelona Open. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images.

Rafael Nadal reached the final of the Barcelona Open for the ninth time by beating German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-3 on Saturday.

The world number five from Spain next meets defending champion Kei Nishikori after the Japanese ousted Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-2.

Nadal will equal former Argentine great Guillermo Vilas' record of 49 claycourt titles if he wins on Sunday.

Left-hander Nadal, eyeing a 10th French Open title next month, won the Monte Carlo Masters.

Source: REUTERS
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