ROME, 9 May 2004 — Spanish sixth seed Carlos Moya beat Mariano Zabaleta in straight sets to reach the final of the clay court Rome Masters yesterday.

Moya, the French Open champion in 1998, won 6-3, 6-4 to prevent an all-Argentine final after fifth seed David Nalbandian had booked his place earlier in the day with victory over Albert Costa. Moya, who had only lost once to Zabaleta in seven meetings, served supremely and his ferocious forehand rarely let him down as he wrapped up the match in 77 minutes at the Foro Italico. The 27-year-old Spaniard made the breakthrough in the sixth game, breaking the unseeded Zabaleta before closing out the set without breaking sweat.

And Moya continued his dominance in the second, breaking in the seventh game before punishing Zabaleta’s weak serve once more to complete the job.

Moya, who had never gone beyond the quarter-final before in his previous eight appearances in Rome, was at a loss to explain why he hadn’t done better in the Italian capital.

Zabaleta, whose victims this week included last year’s champion Felix Mantilla and fourth seed Tim Henman, was disappointed not to add Moya to his list of scalps.

Nalbandian, the highest seed left in the tournament, claimed his place in the final after fighting back from a set down to beat unseeded Spaniard Costa. The 22-year-old Argentinian, a quarterfinalist at this year’s Australian Open, recovered from a poor start to defeat the 2002 French Open winner 6-7 (4 7), 6-1, 6-4 in two hours and 36 minutes.

Williams Reaches Berlin

Final but Hurts Ankle

In Berlin, former world No. 1 Venus Williams overcame Croatian Karolina Sprem 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a surprisingly tight German Open semifinal yesterday but hurt her ankle while serving for the match.

Third seed Williams, who twisted her left foot in the final game, said she hoped to be able to play today’s final, in which she would face Amelie Mauresmo.

The powerful Frenchwoman, seeded second in the clay court tournament, produced a near-perfect display to crush Jennifer Capriati 6-2, 6-0 in the other semifinal.

“I don’t know what I’ll decide yet,” American Williams said on whether she would be able to chase a third straight WTA Tour title after victories in Charleston and Warsaw.

Williams, recapturing her best form after a string of injuries, extended her winning streak to 15 matches but was made to work by her 19-year-old opponent.