Rafa Nadal is into the Madrid Open final after he defeated Novak Djokovic in their semi final.

The Spanish tennis star 6-2 6-4 to end a three year wait without victory against his Serbian opponent.

Nadal started well to take a 4-0 lead in the first set which provided the platform for victory.

Having reached the final in Madrid where he holds the record for most singles titles by a men's player, Nadal will now look to seal his fifth title there on home soil. 

He will face either Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay or Dominic Thiem of Austria in the final, with that duo still to play their semi final.

Victory on his favourite clay surface would be a boost for Nadal as he prepares for the French Open later this month where he will bid to win at Roland Garros for a 10th time, as well as adding a 15th Grand Slam to his bow.

However, Nadal will also look to bridge a three year gap since winning the last of his nine French Opens.

Meanwhile, Djokovic who won last year's French Open, was playing his first tournament since announcing that he had split with his coaching team.