Rafael Nadal conquers self-doubt as he chases record 21st major at Australian Open

​Rafael Nadal says he feels his tennis career is «alive» again after reaching his sixth Australian Open final.

Nadal made it through to the men's tournament decider via a 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 triumph over Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini in the first of the men's semifinals.

He will contest his 29th final at a major, with either world number two Daniil Medvedev or fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas as his opponent.

Victory on Sunday night will push the Spaniard ahead of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer to the top of the men's all-time major winners list with 21 titles.

Nadal endured a challenging 2021, having ended his season prematurely in August because of a foot injury.

He also tested positive to COVID-19 in December.

The 35-year-old admitted he had doubts about his chances at the Australian Open, describing his time on the sidelines as «very tough».

«It's surprising for me to be able to play at the level that I am playing,» Nadal told reporters at Melbourne Park.

«But to just compete and play tennis at the highest level again, facing the most important players of the world, for me it's something unbelievable.»

Nadal — seeded sixth in Melbourne — said he felt rejuvenated as he looked to win his second Australian Open championship, 13 years after first enjoying success.

«I feel alive in terms of my tennis life, my tennis career,» he said.

Berrettini arrived in Melbourne after a breakthrough 2021 season.

He reached his first final of a major when he was runner-up to Djokovic at Wimbledon, while he achieved his career-high ranking of seven, which he still holds.

The 25-year-old was slow out of the blocks in Friday's semifinal against Nadal, barely laying a glove on his opponent in the opening two sets.

He rebounded to win the third