Defending champion Rafael Nadal powered past Roger Federer in the French Open semi-finals yesterday, to move within one victory of a record-extending 12th Roland Garros title after handing his "biggest rival" his worst Grand Slam defeat in 11 years.

Nadal, 33, produced a masterful performance to get past Federer 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the last four on Court Philippe Chatrier and set up a final clash with either World No. 1 Novak Djokovic or Austrian fourth seed Dominic Thiem on Sunday. It will be Nadal's 12th appearance in the championship match, which he has never lost before. "In front [of me was] probably my biggest rival in my career with all the story that we shared together," said Nadal.