This content was published 11 years ago. It may refer to a past edition of the Internazionali d’Italia.

2140: So the two old rivals, Federer v Nadal will meet in tomorrow’s final. That will be at 4pm. Do join us then when we will bring you all the action live from the Foro Italico. 2138: A slight grin as Federer serves to love to clinch a final place. 7-6, 6-4 in one hour and 28 minutes. Far from his best performance but he did enough to progress to his first final of the year. 2135: Fed holds before Paire gets out of a hole of his own. He wins his game after a spot of trouble with a winner that catches the line. Still Federer will now serve for the match at 5-4. 2129: Paire forces Federer to save two break points, the second of which comes with a magnificent ace. But then the Frenchman comes through an easy service game of his own to keep the pressure back on Fed. 4-3 Roger. 2123: Paire troubled by Federer but he holds on to keep Roger honest. 3-2 to the Swiss. 2118: A minor worry for Federer at 15-30, but unflustered he takes the next three points for a 3-1 lead. 2114: Oh dear Benoit. It looked so comfortable for the young Frenchman but you should never get complacent against Federer. Suddenly Paire had to defend a break point, the pressure gets to him. Double fault, 2-1 Federer. The match? 2110: Paire immediately convinces on his serve. Less convincing is Federer but he still manages to scramble to 1-1. 2102: Poor tiebreak with far too many unforced errors from both players. But it is Federer’s experience that allows him to emerge the 7-5 winner. He comes through a difficult set. 2055: Paire’s serving is just too strong for Federer and now we will have a tiebreak to decide the first set. Federer’s first of the tournament, Paire’s fourth. 2051: Paire relieves the pressure with a service hold but Federer repeats the trick to put the pressure right back on the Frenchman who will now serve to stay in the set again at 5-6. 2046: How can we doubt the great man? Federer breaks back immediately with some outstanding tennis. And then he holds to love. Just straightforward, quality tennis by Federer and it has suddenly swung to 5-4 to him in the first set. 2038: It’s a break and it has gone to Paire. Outstanding tennis to get 15-40 and then a poor shot by Federer gives the Frenchman the break. What has Roger got in response? 2035: Paire comes back from 0-40 with some big, booming serves to stay level pegging in the first set. 3-3. 2031: Exciting game as Federer is forced to save a break point and then nets at game point. But come through he does eventually for a 3-2 lead. 2026: Federer into his stride and starting to knock on the door but it is 2-2. 2018: It is Paire who has impressed most out of the opening two games. The Frenchman forced Federer into some trouble on his opening service game before holding comfortably. 1-1. 2002: Forget the Eurovision Song Contest tonight, we have some top class tennis instead. Representing France Benoit Paire and representing Switzerland Roger Federer. Paire, who has enjoyed a fine run to the semis, has never even won a set off Federer in two meetings. The pair last met at the Australian Open. 1805: Nadal could well play great rival Roger Federer in the final if the Swiss can beat Benoit Paire. That match will start at 8pm and we will bring you all the coverage from that from then. 1803: Berdych fires long at match point and Nadal makes the final. 6-2, 6-4 he has won in one hour and 17 minutes. He overcame a tricky second set after a routine first one. He is now applauding the efforts of Berdych as he leaves the court. 1758: A huge clench of the fist and Nadal breaks to love as Berdych’s serve refuses to fire. Nadal has been in a contest this set, but can close it out at 5-4 for the match. 1755: Nadal puts a poor shot behind him at 30-15 to make it 4-4. Could be set for a dramatic conclusion to this set now. 1750: Berdych holds on despite a bit of fright from Nadal in that game who really put the pressure on. 1744: Now 3-3 in the second set, who can get that crucial break? 1736: Slower start to the second set but that does not mean the quality has not been maintained. With serve at 2-2. 1717: And another break wins Nadal the set, 6-2 in 31 minutes. What a performance so far. 1705: Wow! What. A. Shot. Nadal earns a double break as he somehow produces a forehand winner from Berdych’s smash. 4-1. 1701: A first hold for Berdych but Nadal easily wins his next service game and now has the 3-1 lead. 1655: Service hold for Rafa to love. 2-0 he leads. 1650: Nadal has won 13 of the 16 meetings between the two, including in the quarters here last year, and has got straight into his stride winning a comfortable opening service game. 1-0. 1641: Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the men’s semi-finals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Rafael Nadal will play Tomas Berdych first up in a few minutes followed by Roger Federer v Benoit Paire. I’m going for Nadal in two, Federer in two. Send me your predictions to @ianbakersport.