• Barcelona Open

Nadal crushes Milos Raonic in Barcelona

Rafael Nadal was imperious in Barcelona © AP

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Rafael Nadal overcame an early setback to outclass Milos Raonic and book his place in the final of the Barcelona Open with a 6-4 6-0 win.

Nadal is bidding for his eighth win in the event and from the moment he broke back in the third game of the match, the result was never really in doubt.

The giant frame of Raonic is not suited to sliding around on the red clay, but he made a blistering start - his serve proving too hot for Nadal to handle.

Raonic went for his shots on the Nadal serve and it paid immediate dividends as he secured a break of serve.

The loss of his opening service game stung Nadal into life and he worked three break points in the third game, setting them up with a stunning backhand pass. Raonic saved two of them, but a third came Nadal's way when the Canadian netted a volley and the No. 2 seed duly converted.

Nadal wrestled the initiative when breaking in the seventh game as Raonic threw a big forehand wide and Nadal eased through his following two service games to take the set. Any thoughts of a Raonic fightback were snuffed out in the opening game of the second set as Nadal worked an immediate break.

Raonic had no answers as Nadal went through the gears. The left hander took complete control from the baseline and the match was effectively ended as a contest when Nadal claimed a second break of the Canadian's serve in the third game of the second set.

Nadal showed no mercy as he broke Raonic for the third time in the set to set up a bagel.

It will be an all-Spanish affair in the final as the No. 4 seed Nicolas Almagro disposed of Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-1 6-1 in 52 minutes.

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