( CNN ) -- Defending champion Rafael Nadal is through to the final of the Rome Masters after comfortably seeing off Grigor Dimitrov in the semifinals . The world No . 1 , who battled past Andy Murray in three sets on Friday , made lighter work of his Bulgarian opponent on Saturday winning through in straight sets 6-2 6-2 in just over an hour and 20 minutes . `` I played a solid match and was very good with my backhand , '' Nadal said , ATPWorldTour.com reported . `` Yesterday I played a great match and today was a good confirmation that I play better , that the forehand starts to fly again , the top spins as well . A lot of positive things . '' The Spaniard , who will be going for an eighth crown in the Italian capital , will be fresher than his Serb adversary who navigated a slightly more circuitous route to a fifth final in Rome . The world No . 2 was out on court nearly three hours against Canada 's Milos Raonic but eventually prevailed in three sets 6-7 ( 7/5 ) 7-6 ( 7/4 ) 6-3 . `` It was a big win , '' said Djokovic , ATPWorldTour.com reported . `` Because it gives me a lot of strength and belief that I hope I can carry into tomorrow 's final and the rest of the season . `` He played at a high level , especially on his serve , and I can not recall the last time when I felt so helpless in the return games . I could n't really read his serve . '' Over in the women 's draw , Italy 's Sara Errani is through to Sunday 's final . The world No . 11 saw off Serbia 's Jelena Jankovic 6-3 7-5 and now has a shot at becoming the first Italian winner since Raffaella Reggi triumphed in 1985 . Standing in her way is world No . 1 Serena Williams who needed three sets ( 6-1 3-6 6-1 ) to see off another Serb , Ana Ivanovic . The American has a 6-0 record against Errani with only one of those matches -- a second round tie on the hard courts in Dubai -- going to three sets . But Williams , who is looking to clinch a third title in Rome , is n't underestimating her opponent . `` I think she 's improved immensely , even in the just the last two weeks , '' Williams said of Errani , WTATennis.com reported . `` She 's taken her game to another level and has a lot of confidence having beaten two really good Top 10 players ( Li Na and Jankovic ) . I have a lot of work to do to beat her and she also has nothing to lose . '' Read more : Nadal sees off Murray .
Sara Errani and Rafael Nadal take alternative routes to Rome final . Spaniard a straight sets winner over Rome 's Grigor Dimitrov . Djokovic slugs it out over three sets with Milos Raonic . Milos Raonic to play home favorite Djokovic in women 's final .