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.
