BARCELONA, Spain -- Defending champion Kei Nishikori is back in the final of the Barcelona Open after beating Martin Klizan of Slovakia 6-1, 6-2 Saturday.
The top-seeded Japanese will face Spaniard Pablo Andujar in Sunday's final after he ousted third-seeded David Ferrer 7-6 (6), 6-3.
Klizan had won their only previous match at last year's French Open, but Nishikori dominated their second meeting on the same outdoor court where he won his first clay-court title.
Nishikori won the first five games of the match and saved all six of Klizan's break points.
The 25-year-old Nishikori is seeking to add to his eight career titles.
"I am really excited to come into the final again here," Nishikori said. "I played a really solid match today, everything was perfect."
Nishikori had another strong start by claiming 21 of the first 27 points with a complete mix of winning shots, including a beautiful lob that fell on the line.
Nishikori closed out the first set with a slicing backhand approach shot and broke Klizan early in the second set to win in 1 hour, 17 minutes.
Andujar hit 32 winners to Ferrer's 19 and finished off the upset with a drop shot that Ferrer couldn't reach.
Andujar, ranked 66th, had not taken a set from the eighth-ranked Ferrer in three previous losses.
"This is one of the best matches I have played in my life," the 20-year-old Andujar said.