Nadal, Ljubicic Square Off in ATP Madrid Final

The big-serving Ljubicic dropped 19 aces in a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over No. 5 seed David Nalbandian, putting him not only in a position to follow up titles at Metz and Vienna in the last couple weeks, but to sneak in one of the final remaining positions at the year-ending Masters Cup.

"I know everyone will be against me tomorrow but I'm going to make sure I enjoy the match and hopefully I'll win," Ljubicic said.

With the victory the Croat extended his win streak to 16 matches.

Nadal defeated hot-handed American Robby Ginepri 7-5, 7-6(1) in their first career meeting.

"My attitude was good, but I just didn't win the big points," Ginepri said. "I didn't feel as though I played my best tennis and it was a real shame about the tiebreak...He's unbelievably quick 'round the court and fights for every point. He won't ever give up, he's just a fighter."

Nadal is attempting a fourth Masters Series title on the year, which would tie the currently-injured Roger Federer in 2005.

Nadal beat Ljubicic in three sets in their most recent meeting earlier this year at the Masters Series-Miami, while the Croat won their career-first meeting before that, this year at Doha in January in three sets.

The doubles final will be the unseeded team of Paes/Zimonjic (d. (4) Llodra/Santoro in the semis) against (3) Knowles/Nestor (d. (2) Black/Ullyett).