MIAMI (AFP) - French Open champion Rafael Nadal advanced to the final of the ATP Masters Series Sony Ericsson Open with a 7-6, (8/6), 6-2 victory over Czech 10th seed Tomas Berdych here Friday.


Rafael Nadal

Nadal, the second seed, will play in Sunday's championship match of the 7.54 million-dollar event against the Russian fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko who overpowered US sixth seed Andy Roddick 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 in the other semi.

Nadal, seeking a 590,000-dollar top prize, improved to 3-3 lifetime against Berdych.

Nadal, who lost to world No. 1 Roger Federer in the 2005 championship, is attempting to become the first Spanish player to win this event.

The 21-year-old lefthanded Spaniard will be seeking his 24th career title and first this season in Sunday's final.

Davydenko reached his first final of the year and is the first Russian in the 24-year history of this hardcourt event to play in the championship match.

Roddick stunned Federer in the quarter-finals Thursday, taking only his second victory in 17 career meetings with the Swiss superstar by 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-3.

Roddick, the 2004 winner here, is 19-4 this season with titles in San Jose and Dubai, where he defeated Nadal and Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic on his way to the crown.