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The Swiss top seed was leading 6-3 3-2 when Australian Open champion Djokovic, seeded third, pulled out after complaining of dizziness and a sore throat.

"From the start I didn't feel so great. But obviously, at the start of the match you feel, you know, fresh still somehow. But then after a while, after five, six games, after long points, I started to feel more and more worse," Djokovic said.

"I was thinking about, you know, stopping even after the first set. But I just wanted to try and see how it goes."

Three-times champion Nadal reached the final with a 6-3 6-2 win over Russian fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko.

The muscular Spaniard will face a rejuvenated Federer, who regained his best form on Friday by beating Argentine nemesis David Nalbandian 5-7 6-2 6-2.

"I think I served a bit better today," said Federer. "I served good when I had to and I was consistent from the baseline. Tomorrow, I will try to push him (Nadal) to see what happens."

In the first set against Djokovic, the Swiss, who suffered from mononucleosis earlier this year, was back to his brilliant self.

He saved three break points in the fifth game before stealing Djokovic's serve on his first attempt to open a decisive 5-3 lead.

Djokovic seemed in a position to bother the 12-times Grand Slam winner in the second set, only for him to leave the court following a quick chat with Federer.

Reuters