Roger Federer underlined his number-one status by beating second seed Rafael Nadal to reach the final of the Masters Cup in Shanghai.
The Swiss prevailed 6-4 6-1 for his sixth victory in 14 career meetings with the Spaniard.
Nadal, the Spanish number one and world number two, gave a good account of himself early on.
The semi-final was level at 4-4 in the opening set but after Federer held serve, he then won three consecutive points on the Spaniard's service.
Nadal saved one of those set points but Federer took his second chance and carried the momentum into the second frame for a convincing win that was claimed in just over 59 minutes.
Federer will now meet Spain's David Ferrer in Sunday's final, after Ferrer swept past a struggling Andy Roddick 6-1 6-3 to reach the final of the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup.
Federer will be a prohibitive favourite against Ferrer.
The world's top ranked player has won all seven of his meetings against Ferrer, including two Masters Series events this year.
Ferrer has been a revelation in his first Masters Cup appearance, sweeping to a 3-0 round-robin record to finish top of the Gold Group.
Cheered on by a raucous section of trumpet-blowing fans draped in Spanish flags, he was already leading 3-1 when Roddick appeared to jar his back stretching for a high volley.
The American, not helped by such a quick turnaround following his 6-4 6-2 thrashing by Federer the previous evening, called for the trainer at the change of ends.
A rubdown made no difference, however, as Ferrer quickly closed out the first set in just 28 minutes and he continued to pile on the agony for Roddick in the second.
Ferrer, the only man still unbeaten in Shanghai, was merciless, picking Roddick off from the baseline and making him chase drop shots, putting more strain on his back.
The Spaniard broke for 4-2 in the second with an incredible backhand pass that whistled past a dazed Roddick, who blew three break points in the next game in his final throw of the dice.
Ferrer squandered two match points - the second a double-fault - but sealed his place in the final when Roddick dumped a backhand in the net after just 72 minutes.
