Miami Open final: Federer, Nadal in 37th clash

Roger Federer will today face Rafael Nadal in the final of the men’s singles of Miami Open and their 37th clash in history.

Federer had in the early hours of Saturday won a thrilling over three-hour contest against Nick Kyrgios to set up a final against Nadal.

The Swiss, 35, won 7-6 (11-9) 6-7 (9-11) 7-6 (7-5) to take his 2017 record to 18 wins and one defeat.

Federer and Nadal will also clash in the second final this year with the Spaniard losing at January’s Australian Open.

Nadal, 30, beat Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-1, 7-5 in the first semi-final.

Fognini, 29, had become the first unseeded player in 10 years to make the last four but was no match for Nadal, who will try to win a first Miami title in his fifth final today.

“It’s great to be in the final for me,” said Nadal after winning the first of the semi-finals. “I am excited to play another final of an important event.

“If it’s Roger, it’s going to be another one for both of us, and that’s it. Just another one.”

Federer made sure that there will be another episode to his rivalry with Nadal, which began in Miami 13 years ago.

Nadal has yet to win the Miami title despite reaching the 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2014 finals

The 18-time Grand Slam champion, Federer maintained his spectacular run of results with victory over the in-form Kyrgios.

“It felt very good,” said the Swiss, who last won the Miami title in 2006. “You don’t very often play three breakers in a match.

“Winning breakers is always such a thrill. I tried to really fight for it. I can’t always show my fighting skills, it is great winning this way.”