Nadal set for Shanghai final

Nadal: Through to final

I'm just happy to be in the final - my first after the injury comeback

Rafael Nadal
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Rafael Nadal was handed a place in the Shanghai Masters final when opponent Feliciano Lopez retired with a foot injury.

The world number two was barely tested against compatriot Lopez and was coasting 6-1 3-0 when his fellow Spaniard's ankle problem led to him becoming the ninth player in the tournament to fail to finish a match.

Nadal, an injury victim himself twice this season, drew first blood when he took advantage of a poor Lopez forehand to break in game three.

Lopez continued to make errors as he surrendered a second break and Nadal held with ease to leave his adversary serving to stay in the set.

The injury appeared to be sustained as Lopez handed Nadal another break to give him the first set, but his right foot was strapped up and he continued play.

After conceding a break at the beginning of the second set, Lopez finally retired following another service hold for Nadal.

It was the second consecutive day Nadal advanced due to an opponent's withdrawal, with the Spaniard benefitting from Ivan Ljubicic's retirement from their quarter-final match to reach the last four.

Lucky

"I was a little bit lucky yesterday," said Nadal. "Today I was winning but it's never nice to win like this, especially against a close friend like Feliciano.

"Feliciano told me he hurt his ankle in the last point of the first set. I just wish both players a speedy recovery.

"I was playing well today, I'm in the final which is very good news for me.

"I'm very happy, it's my first final since my comeback from injury."

Nadal will now advance to play for his fourth Masters 1000 title of the year against Russian Nikolay Davydenko, who upset second seed Novak Djokovic with a 4-6 6-4 7-6 victory.

The final will mark Nadal's first since the Madrid Masters in May, with the Spaniard seeking his sixth title of the season.

Davydenko is chasing one of the last three spots in the eight-man ATP World Tour Finals in November, with Nadal already qualified for the London competition.

Despite defeating Davydenko last time they met in Barcelona earlier this year, Nadal admits the final will be tough with the Russian in his current form.

"Davydenko is playing well with a lot of rhythm. I'll have to play my best to beat him," added Nadal.

"He's another level, I'm going to have a really difficult match. I'm going to try to be aggressive."