Defending champion Andy Murray marched into the final of the Madrid Open after defeating home favourite Rafa Nadal for the second successive year.

The British world number 2 ended Nadal’s 13-match unbeaten run on clay after looking back to his best on his favoured surface with victories in Monte Carlo and Barcelona in recent weeks.

Murray sealed a devastating 7-5 6-4 victory to send him through to Sunday’s final where he will play world number one, Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic was made to sweat before overcoming Kei Nishikori 6-3, 7-6 in 1 hour 59 minutes on Saturday.

The 2011 champion escaped early trouble, coming under pressure in his first three service games when Nishikori claimed 14 of the first 19 baseline points and registered the first 10 winners of the match.

But Djokovic would survive in the ensuing tie-break, converting his fifth match point for the victory.

Murray, who has won seven of his last eight matches on clay, needs to win the title to avoid being overtaken by Roger Federer in the rankings.