Federer v Nadal Blockbuster in ATP Dubai Final

The well-monied ATP stop in Dubai got what it paid for on Friday when world No. 1 Roger Federer and No. 2 Rafael Nadal advanced to what will be their fourth career meeting Saturday at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Both players had few problems in the semis, with Federer dropping five games against unseeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny, and Nadal moving past unseeded German Rainer Schuettler 6-4, 6-2.

"It was by far my best match of the tournament," Federer told reporters. "It's always nice when you can turn it up for the big matches. The score didn't indicate how tough it was. It was quite a struggle for me. It was very windy. All in all, I'm quite pleased."

Federer is 1-2 career against the Spaniard, last losing in the semifinals of the 2005 French Open.

"I would enjoy playing Rafael," Federer told reporters. "It would be nice to see him back in the final after his injury."

Nadal says he is also looking forward to the confrontation.

"Tomorrow is going to be a very special match," Nadal said. "I am very happy to make it to the finals in only my second tournament after four months. Federer is a finals specialist, but I have won my last 10 finals too."

The doubles final will be (1) Knowles/Nestor (d. (3) Santoro/Zimonjic in a match tiebreak) vs. (2) Hanley/Ullyett (d. (4) Damm/Paes in a match tiebreak).