Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the top two players in the world, will clash for the first time since the French Open semi-finals in the Dubai Open final on Saturday.
Spain's Nadal, who won the Roland Garros clash in four sets before lifting his first grand slam crown, beat Rainer Schuettler of Germany 6-4, 6-2 after top seed Federer eased past Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 6-2, 6-3.
Switzerland's Federer has won both his tournaments this year, including the Australian Open. Nadal, who won 11 titles last year, is playing only his second tournament since recovering from a career-threatening foot injury.
"For sure it's a special match and I'm very happy to be in the final in my second tournament in three months, against the world number one," Nadal told reporters.
"He's the specialist in the finals but I won the last nine finals too. It's a difficult match but if I play my best I have a little bit of a chance.
"The key is if Federer doesn't play his best. If he plays well, I don't know - I'll have to play unbelievable," he said.
Federer has won his last 56 matches on hard court.
Although the score suggests Federer's win over Youzhny was straightforward, a strangely inconsistent performance from the Swiss in the first set meant he fell behind in his first four service games.
"I thought I maybe missed quite a few first serves early in the games that really allowed him to get his teeth into every service game in the beginning," Federer told reporters.
"But I served my way out of trouble and played my way out of trouble. In the second set I played great tennis and I thought overall it was an excellent match."
COMFORTABLE FEDERER
The second set was more comfortable for Federer as he raised his game and often ended rallies by changing the pace and forcing errors from his opponent.
The outcome of the set still hinged on just one break of serve. That came in the seven-deuce second game after Youzhny failed to win any of five game points and then double-faulted on break point.
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"He was playing with very good rhythm, but I can play with rhythm too if I feel good like today," said Nadal.
"I was practising very good before the match and began the match very well, very aggressive."
A break in the opening game gave Nadal the start he wanted, and although Schuettler rallied well he lacked a weapon to cause Nadal any real concerns.
The Spaniard played one poor game when he allowed his opponent to level at 4-4. He immediately broke again when Schuettler guided a backhand down the line and it landed wide.
After serving out the first set, Nadal swept to a 4-0 lead in the second. Although he faced one break point as he served for victory he saved it with his sixth ace.
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