Tennis: Nadal into 12th Barcelona final faces better than ever Tsitsipas

Dubai: Rafael Nadal trounced compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta to reach his 12th Barcelona final where he will face Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek star who stunned the great Spaniard from two sets down in this year’s Australian Open.

“Tomorrow will be a very tough one. Stefanos is playing probably better than ever,” said Nadal, who broke serve four times and hit 13 forehand winners in the semi-final. “Not one set lost in Monte Carlo and here, so it will be the toughest opponent possible. I hope to be ready. It is going to be a tough one, but I need to be ready to increase my level and let’s see.”

Tsitsipas, winner of his first Masters 1000 event in Monte Carlo last week, booked his place in a second successive final when he beat Italian teenager Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-3 in his semi-final on Saturday.

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