Roger Federer will be up against his rival Rafa Nadal in the Italian Open final after the Swiss held off a spirited challenge by unseeded Frenchman Benoit Paire on Saturday.
Roger Federer the world number three scored 7-6 6-4 to beat Paire.
Nadal beat Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych 6-2 6-4 with a dominant performance that he described as emotional after a long injury absence which saw him return to court in February after seven months off with a knee problem.
The Spaniard has won six titles since returning, while Federer is yet to register a title in 2013.
"For me it's already a good tournament. He (Nadal) is the favorite but he's near the end of a long claycourt season, it may be my chance," Federer told reporters.
"I am feeling better physically," the 11-times grand slam winner said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Teledeporte.
"These are emotional moments for me as I think I have managed to turn around a situation in which after many months of doubts I am able to play at a level that I would not have dreamed of four months ago."
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