Welcome. Our second semi-final from the ATP Barcelona Open today is imminent. The King of Clay Rafael Nadal takes on fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco for the right to play David Ferrer tomorrow.

So Nadal heads into another clay final and aims for his 7th Barcelona title. It looks good for Rafa: he has a 13-4 winning record against his opponent David Ferrer tomorrow. In fact Nadal beat Ferrer in the 2011, 2009 and 2008 Barcelona finals. Last year Nadal prevailed 6-2, 6-4 so it will take a huge effort from Ferrer to stop the King of Clay tomorrow.

- 6-4 - An exceptional forehand from Verdasco loops in to go 15-30 as his patience is rewarded as suddenly Nadal has lost his groundstrokes again to frame one long for 15-40. A net cord goes against Verdasco as he changes his mind mid shot. Poor returning once again drags Verdasco back to deuce. A well crafted drop shot forces match point and his opponent's nets for the win.

- 5-4 - Some promise for the world number 20 as he attacks the net to cruise to 40-0. His forehand has been constantly exposed out wide as he smashes the net post with one effort. Verdasco manages to escape with the hold but will he be the first to break Nadal this week next?

- 5-3 - Nadal double faults then aces and some patience play from culminates with Nadal hitting the net for 15-30. It's so scrappy with three consecutive errors handing Nadal the easiest of holds.

- 4-3 - A despondent Verdasco slaps a forehand into the net for 15-30 but he recovers to hold with Nadal having an erratic game. The light rain could be affecting their rhythm on court but a lot of unforced errors from both players are a shame for the spectacle.

- 4-2 - It seems Nadal is cruising to his seventh Barcelona final with a glorious cross court winner, coupled with great touch at the net for 30-0. Verdasco fires another error and Rafa guides another winner in to consolidate the crucial break.

- 3-2 - Within seconds we are at 0-30. Nadal's forehand has recovered to start reeling off the winners but Verdasco recovers two points by moving Nadal corner to corner. Pressing play from Verdasco forces deuce but an erratic forehand costs him. He's disturbed by a spectator shouting out and is broken by the double fault.

- 2-2 - Nadal ghosts into the net to slice away a stunning winning volley and a crushing forehand brings up 40-0 before holding after Verdasco fails to return. Simple for the world number two.

- 1-2 - Verdasco is in danger of capitulation here as he hands Nadal two points. A monstrous forehand down the line reduces the deficit and Nadal snatches at a short ball to level at 30 all. At deuce Nadal sprays a backhand wide and Verdasco holds with a brilliant inside-out forehand winner.

- 1-1 - A scrappy game sees both players losing their concentration. Four errors give Verdasco a chance at 30 all and another wayward shot from Nadal brings up the break point. Predictably the return goes out for deuce. A first ace and exceptional wide serve rescues Rafa whilst Verdasco continues to struggle.

- 0-1 - Verdasco starts the second set looking a bit embarrassed. Some decent length and aggressive serving lands him 40-15 up and a couple of dodgy line calls fall in his favour. He's finally held- will it lead to a comeback?

- 6-0 - Some rest bite for Verdasco as Nadal narrowly misses two shots for 0-30. Despite some poor returning Verdasco responds with a ferocious forehand which Nadal only just fails to retrieve. At deuce Verdasco hits a superb return winner but there's no stopping a relentless Rafa to crushing him for a first set bagel.

- 5-0 - The shot making of Rafa keeps bringing gasps from the adoring crowd and the pressure to attack Nadal forces Verdasco to double fault for 15-30. Another shot by the world number 20 goes long for another break point but Rafa nets his chance to take it to deuce. A cheeky drop shot gives Nadal the advantage, setting up another break

- 4-0 - Nadal is in cruise control. His serve is incredibly accurate and he is spraying the heavy topped groundstrokes around the court for an easy hold. It's beautiful to watch but desperate for his opponent.

- 3-0 - It's been a really mixed bag from Verdasco so far. Some fantastic kick serves combined with erratic grounstrokes make it 30 all. Then wonderful defensive work but Nadal is topped off by a ferocious forehand winner down the line for 30-40. Verdasco shoots a forehand wide, desperately trying to pressurise his imperious opponent.

- 2-0 - Nadal races to a 40-0 lead with some pin-point tennis. Verdasco manages to get on the scoreboard with some superb looped shots but Rafa has his fellow Spaniard on a string an whips a winner down the line for the hold.

- 1-0 - The first point is a lassoed Nadal forehand down the line and Verdasco loops wide for 0-30. An outrageous Nadal cross court winner on the run brings up 0-40 and Rafa then ruthlessly swats away a smash to break to love. Ominous!

We're under way with Fernando Verdasco serving first.

These two love their marathons. They last played at Cincinnati in 2011 with Nadal prevailing after three tie-break sets.

The statistics for Nadal on clay are simply staggering. His career win/loss ratio is 239:18 and his clay court supremacy since 2005 is even more impressive, with a 212:8 record! Verdasco has a huge task despite his recent resurgence.