Roger Federer played his part in the previous match on Rod Laver Arena, beating 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets to formally mark his 1,000th tour-level match.
A Federer-Nadal semifinal had been looming since the draw was made for the season's first major - the first time the pair have been on the same half at a Grand Slam tournament since 2005.
Playing with a new racket and a heavily taped right knee, Nadal was at his demonstrative peak as he came back after losing the first set to beat No. 7-ranked Tomas Berdych 6-7 (5), 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-3 Tuesday.
Yelling "Vamos," disputing line calls, pumping his arms after winning big points and bounding around like a hyperactive kid, Nadal ripped 57 winners against Berdych, including 34 on his forehand side in a 4-hour, 16-minute demonstration of intimidation.
