Top seed Rafael Nadal beat fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets to set up a China Open final against second-seeded Argentine Guillermo Coria on Saturday.

The world number two, who has been reckoned the new "King of Clay" after claiming his first grand slam title in career at Roland Garros last June, won 6-4, 6-4 over the 25-year-old Ferrero, ranked 13th in the world and seeded the sixth at the US$500,000 event.

"It's a close game and not as easy as it seemed. I do the break at the first set, and played better at the second set, which made me feel a little bit more confident," said Nadal.

"I think I've played one of the best matches in the week," he added.

It's the fourth time in a year that the 19-year-old Nadal, the new sweetheart to the world tennis, beat the former world number one and French Open champion in as many matches, all on clay except Saturday's match at the hardcourt tournament of China Open.

"None of these four loses to Nadal was satisfactory performed, and for today's match, I think I had chances but failed to make it," said Ferrero.

Ferrero cracked 12 winners against none double-faults in the semi-final clash but committed 15 unforced errors, while Nadal, breaking Ferrero twice in the second set, had six winners and made only five unforced errors.

"I missed my chance against the fast moving Nadal, and it's really hard for me to follow his pace," said Ferrero.

Nadal, whose world rankings climbed from 51st to No. 2 in half a year, will fight Sunday against second seed Coria, who won a lucky draw over fourth seed Thomas Johansson of Sweden 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 to make the final, where a 69,200-dollar prize money on offer for the winner.

"Coria is a great player. Sunday's final will be a challenge, and I'll try to show my tennis tomorrow when facing him," said Nadal.

(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2005)