Roger Federer beat David Nalbandian in a final-set tie-break to reach his 13th consecutive final at the Rome Masters.

The world number one took the opening set before Nalbandian hit back, but he recovered to triumph 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7/5).

He will face Rafael Nadal in Sunday's final, the Spaniard overcoming Gael Monfils 6-2 6-2 in the second semi.

Nadal will match Guillermo Vilas' record 53-match winning streak on clay, set in 1977, if he beats Federer for a third time this year.

The 19-year-old is the only player to beat Federer this year, in finals in Dubai in March and the Monte Carlo Masters last month.

But Federer is also keen to go into the French Open - the only one of the four grand slams he does not currently hold - starting on 28 May with a clay-court title.

"I'm ready," he said after drawing level with Vilas for the second-most consecutive finals in the Open era. (Ivan Lendl holds the record at 18, set in 1981 and '82.)

I'm happy with the way that I'm playing Roger Federer

"I think it's always special to have number one versus number two. It's good for the game and I think both of us look forward to it.

"Especially on clay, it's a good challenge for me."

Federer lost to Nalbandian in five sets on the last occasion they met, at the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai last November.

But he toiled for two hours, 42 minutes to bring the Argentine's nine-match winning run to an end.

Both players started nervously, neither holding serve in the first four games.

But Federer came up with a forehand winner down the line to take a 5-3 lead, and Nalbandian wasted three break points in the next, handing the opening set to Federer by hitting a backhand into the net.

That prompted the Argentine to slam his racket to the ground, but he recovered well to take the second set, converting the only break of serve in the fourth game.

Federer struggled with his accuracy for long periods, but regained form midway through the third set to recover from a break down.

The Swiss master took control of the tie-breaker with a backhand service return winner to go 6-4 up, and the match ended on his second match point when Nalbandian's forehand sailed long.

"I've had two tough matches in two days," Federer added. "But I'm happy with the way that I'm playing. And I'm glad to be in a second final here."

Federer lost the 2003 final in Rome to Spain's Felix Mantilla.