Spaniard Rafael Nadal saved three match points to beat Serbian Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-6 and 7-6 to set up a final against Roger Federer at the Madrid Open tennis tournament Saturday.

Rafael Nadal of Spain waves to the audience after winning men's singles semifinal against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, May 16, 2009. Nadal won 2-1 and advanced to the final. [Xinhua]

The world number one battled for four hours and three minutes to avoid his fifth defeat in 154 matches since the beginning of 2005 in front of his home crowd.

However, in the other semifinal, Federer had an easy win over Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro, as the second seed coasted to a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Nadal, 22, and Djokovic, 21, were meeting for the 18th occasion and the third time in five weeks after Nadal beat Djokovic in the final in both Monte Carlo and Rome.

Djokovic controlled the first set as Nadal appeared to be hampered by his right knee. After the Serb won the opening set and leading 2-1 in the second, Nadal had the knee heavily strapped.

Djokovic twice failed to break serve in the ninth game and missed another in the 11th before Nadal took the tiebreak 7-5.

Then, the Spaniard again lagged behind 3-1 in the decider, but broke back immediately. And it was Djokovic who called for treatment to his leg cramp.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his semi-final match against Spain's Rafael Nadal at the Madrid Open tennis tournament May 16, 2009.[Xinhua/Reuters]

In a nail-biting deciding tiebreak, Nadal produced stunning shots to save three match points and converted his second to seal the win.

"I'm very disappointed I can play this well and still not win a match," said Djokovic.

Nadal said "You have to play very, very well to beat Djokovic in that situation and that's what I was doing at the end."

Nadal is chasing his sixth title of the year and bidding to become the first player to win all three claycourt Masters events in the same year.

He has a 13-6 winning record against Federer and has won their last five encounters, most recently in the final at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2009)