Last updated on .From the section Tennis
In just over three hours, Nadal defeated Carlos Alcaraz to reach the final at Indian Wells, where he will face Taylor Fritz.
The match was hampered by strong winds and was won by Nadal.
It is the 20th victory in a row for fourth seed Nadal.
The home favourite won his place in the final with a win over Rublev.
In January, Nadal won the Australian Open, as well as lifting the title in the warm-up event at Melbourne, then the Mexican Open a month later.
He was tested all the way by Alcaraz, who is seen as one of the most exciting prospects in tennis.
The chair umpire asked spectators to hold on to their possessions after items blew on to the court in the second set.
Despite the wind, Alcaraz broke Nadal in a 20 minute game to force a decider.
The 21-time Grand Slam champion found a break in the second set and then served out the match to reach his fourth final of the season.
The conditions became crazy in the second.
It's not fun playing in wind like this, but I can enjoy it.
Rublev's 13-match winning streak was ended by world number 20 Fritz.
It sounds like a dream. I can't believe it is real, said the world number 20.
It was the best I have played this week. I was more aggressive than I have been all week.
He injured his ankle in the final stages of the match.
He said that he pinched the back of his ankle.
It didn't feel bad but the first point when I took a really big push-off step to return the serve hurt a lot.
Hopefully, it is just a little change and we will get it sorted out. I was looking for a trainer.
Since 2001, American men have not won at Indian Wells.