Rafael Nadal extended his winning streak on clay to 46 after he edged out fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 7-6, 6-3 on Saturday to reach the final of the Barcelona Open.
The top seed and defending champion, who will meet compatriot Tommy Robredo in the showpiece match, is now joint second with Bjorn Borg in the Open-era list for consecutive wins on the surface. Argentine Guillermo Vilas owns the record with 53.
Robredo beat unseeded Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 6-4 in the first semi-final.
Despite being one win away from eclipsing Borg's streak, Nadal said the Swede was in another league.
"Yes, we have the same number of wins on clay but he also won five Wimbledons," Nadal said. "I don't know if I will be able to do that.
"Borg made tennis history, I am just making my way. For now the most important thing is to win this tournament. After that we can talk about Vilas and 53 (the record)."
The 19-year-old Nadal, whose unbeaten run on clay stretches back to April 2005, was pushed hard in the first set by the hard-hitting Almagro, who had upset Juan Carlos Ferrero and Guillermo Coria to reach the last four.
After saving a set point on his own serve at 5-4 down, Nadal bagged the first-set tiebreak 7-2 and then stepped up a gear.
He broke for 4-2 in the second set and held on to reach his third final of the year.
Sixth seed Robredo overcame a late wobble to reach the final for the second time in three years.
The Spaniard, champion in 2004, wrapped up victory over the world number 67 in 87 minutes.
After edging the first set, Robredo broke twice to lead 5-2 in the second but wasted four match points as Wawrinka hit back.
Robredo made no mistake second time round, serving out to love.
"I think it is easy to prepare for playing someone like Nadal," Robredo said.
"I know how to play (Roger) Federer, Nadal, all the players, but you have to be able to get to the court and do it, and they have to let you do it.
"I am playing very well every day, at the same level. I know that I won't play worse tomorrow but I have to try to play even better.
"I will just play my game. If I play my game and I win then I will be very proud. If I play my game and it is not enough then I will still be proud but will work for the future."
