Sunday, April 23 2006 12:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Monte Carlo: Rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will clash for the second time this season as they booked a dream final at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Spain's teenage Roland Garros holder Nadal, defending champion in the principality, struggled at the start before posting a 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Gaston Gaudio.

The flawless Federer clocked his sixth win without defeat against Chilean 12th seed Fernando Gonzalez, gliding into his first title match at the tournament with a 6-2, 6-4 win.

"I was very focussed on this match, very concentrated," said Federer, whose win-loss ratio this season is now 33-1. "I'm happy I got off to a fast start."

Federer and Nadal have already met once this season, with the Spaniard triumphing in the Dubai final in early March. Nadal is one of the rare players with a winning edge over the world No. 1, leading their head-to-head series 3-1.