Rafael Nadal will play in the French Open title for the ninth time after beating Andy Murray 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 Friday.

The eight-time champion jumped out to a 3-0 lead at the start and was never troubled by the Wimbledon champion on Court Philippe Chatrier, the stadium Nadal calls his favorite place to play.

In Sunday's final, Nadal will face Novak Djokovic. The second-seeded Serb beat Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Nadal won four straight titles at Roland Garros before losing in the fourth round in 2009. He has since won four more in a row, and this year improved his record to 65-1 at the French Open, including a record 34 straight wins.

Nadal will retain his No. 1 ranking if he beats Djokovic in the final. Otherwise, Djokovic will move back to the top.

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