Spaniards Nadal, Ferrero in Barcelona Final

Nadal has won three claycourt titles already in 2005, including the Masters Series-Monte Carlo where he fed a bagel set to current French Open holder Gaston Gaudio and defeated Guillermo Coria in the final.

On Saturday Nadal defeated Czech Radek Stepanek 7-5, 6-2 to reach his fifth final in his last six events on hardcourt and clay.

Nadal improved to 34-6 on the season, including an ATP-best 24-2 on clay, already passing his win total from 2004.

"He was serving very well and it was difficult to break his serve, but I'm glad I was able to keep my concentration to win the match," Nadal said.

Ferrero gained the final with a 7-6(1), 6-1 win over Russian Nikolay Davydenko, following up on his sterling three-set win in the quarterfinals over Gaudio. It is the first final for the formerly(?) confidence-challenged former No. 1 in over a year, since Rotterdam in 2004.

Ferrero will need a new tact in the final against Nadal, who he received a 6-2, 6-1 pasting from just weeks ago in Valencia in their only previous meeting.

The doubles final will be Spaniards Lopez/Nadal (d. (5) Suk/Vizner from a set down in the semifinals) vs. (2) Paes/Zimonjic (d. (4) Aspelin/Perry).

The singles final will be best-of-five sets starting at 3:30 p.m. local time.

"I don't think I'm the favorite," said Captain Obvious Ferrero on facing Nadal. "He's playing really well and winning a lot of tournaments, I've been playing good lately but I don't think I'm the favorite."