It took Federer 58 minutes to defeat Nalbandian

The victory was Federer's seventh in eight meetings against the Argentine and extended the Swiss star's unbeaten run to 18 matches.

Fernando Gonzalez beat Tomas Berdych in the second semi-final.

Berdych could not repeat the form that saw him beat Rafael Nadal on Friday as he went down 6-3 6-1 to the Chilean.

After upsetting the home crowd on Friday by putting his fingers to his lips on beating local favourite Nadal, Berdych was given a rough reception on his return.

"It was stupid," Berdych said of the crowd's behaviour, while Gonzalez admitted: "It was great that I had the luck of the fans being on my side."

Berdych committed 21 errors as he was broken twice in both sets, to the delight of the Madrid spectators.

"I've never seen anything like it, it's like a (bad) dream," said Berdych. "It's not a tennis crowd."

I've never seen anything like it, it's like a (bad) dream Berdych on his reception from the crowd

Federer was in magnificent form against Nalbandian, firing nine aces, 28 winners and breaking serve five times.

He hit two aces in the first game and broke to go 3-1 ahead before Nalbandian fought back to level at 4-4.

But in the next game the Swiss earned two set points with a passing shot and he converted at the first opportunity.

The second set saw the world number one hit the heights, and he admitted: "The second set was phenomenal.

"I thought this is when I could start to hit freely, hit the returns more, take more chances.

"It all worked out, it was great. Hopefully, when I have the chance to play aggressive, then I do, and play well."

The Madrid Masters is one of the few ATP Tour events Federer has not won, having missed the last two years through injury.

"We'll have to see what happens on Sunday but it will be different because it will be five sets," said Federer.