Nadal reaches 7th straight final in Madrid

MADRID - Rafael Nadal reached his seventh consecutive final since returning from a knee injury, brushing aside wild-card entry Pablo Andujar 6-0, 6-4 at the Madrid Open on Saturday.

Nadal had little trouble extending his winning streak in clay-court semifinals to 46 matches, quickly finishing his overmatched countryman after winning the first six games.

Nadal can win his fifth title since coming back from a seven-month layoff healing his left knee.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better run of results,” said Nadal, a two-time champion in the Spanish capital. “Five months ago I wouldn’t have dreamed of this return. I want to thank all those who supported me through that time.”

The Spaniard will play Stanislas Wawrinka after the 15th-ranked Swiss recovered late to defeat Tomas Berdych 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova will meet for the No. 1 ranking and the women’s title after winning semifinals in straight sets.

AP