Paris: French Open defending champion Rafael Nadal thrashed fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 in the semi-final Friday to move within only one win away from the seventh-title record at Roland Garros.

The second seed will play against the winner between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the final, where if he wins, he will be the first player to win seven men's singles titles at French Open, Xinhua reported.

Nadal, whose only loss here came in the fourth round in 2009, put on a daunting performance to break sixth seed Ferrer seven times throughout the match.

"I probably played my best match here at Roland Garros this year," said Nadal.

"I am sorry for David to lose like this. He is one of my best friends on the tour and one of the best clay-courters. It was a fantastic match for me and I am so happy to be in another final at Roland Garros," Nadal said. (IANS)