Former world number one Federer secured his only break against Soderling with a volleyed winner in the ninth game of the second set before serving out for victory in breezy conditions
He said: "The conditions were tough. I didn't know you could get so much wind inside an enclosed space."
Looking forward to Saturday's semi-final, Federer who has won only eight of 23 matches against Nadal, added: "He seems like he is playing amazing tennis right now but I'll give it my best shot and see how I get on."
The other semi-final will be contested between second seed Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray's quarter-final conqueror Thomaz Bellucci.
Djokovic overcame clay specialist David Ferrer 6-4 4-6 6-3, and in doing so extended his winning run in 2011 to 30 matches.
The Serb has now beaten the mark of 29 wins set by Czech player Ivan Lendl in 1986.
Only Bjorn Borg [33 in 1980] and John McEnroe [42 in 1984] have had longer winning runs from the start of a season.
Earlier, Bellucci became the first player through to Saturday's semi-finals with a 7-6 [7-2] 6-3 win over seventh seed Tomas Berdych.
The Brazilian, ranked 36th in the world, was in his element as he dominated on serve and did not have to face a single break point.
"The conditions on these courts are perfect for me, I like playing here," said Bellucci.
