MONTE CARLO (Reuters) – World number one Rafael Nadal held off a late challenge from Briton Andy Murray to move to the brink of a record fifth consecutive title at the Monte Carlo Masters with a 6-2 7-6 semi-final win on Saturday.
The Spaniard, who has won his last 26 matches in the principality, will play world number three Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final after the Serb had earlier recovered to beat Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6 6-1 6-3.
“I played much better today than on the other days so that’s a good preparation for the final,” Nadal told reporters.
Asked about Djokovic, he added: “He’s having a very good tournament. Sure, I have to play my best tennis if I want to have chances to win. So I’m going to try to play aggressive…
Nadal, who has not dropped a set in Monte Carlo since the 2006 final against Roger Federer, pushed the fourth-seeded Murray far behind the baseline, leaving his opponent with little opportunity to attack.
The powerful Spanish top seed opened a 4-1 lead and had three break points in the sixth game after winning nine points in a row as Murray was left gasping for air.
The Briton saved them all but Nadal wrapped up the opening set in the next game when a Murray forehand went long.
The U.S. Open finalist played more aggressively at the start of the second set but Nadal was simply too strong and would not back off, breaking in the fourth game.
Murray showed some pride in the ninth game when Nadal was serving for the match at 5-3, snatching his opponent’s serve after saving a match point with a fine drop shot.
The Scot seemed transformed and, with the backing of the crowd, started to crack winners past Nadal to force a tiebreak.
But the 21-year-old could not contain the Spaniard who won the tiebreak 7-4 after a match lasting two hours eight minutes, jumping in the air with his fist clinched in celebration.
Earlier, Djokovic had to battle back against 13th seed Wawrinka, who had upset fellow Swiss and three times Monte Carlo finalist Roger Federer in the third round.
Wawrinka made the better start, taking the opening set after breaking in the ninth game at the fourth attempt but gradually ran out of steam.
The Serb put more pressure on Wawrinka in the second set to open up a 5-0 lead. He leveled the match having made only five unforced errors while pocketing seven of his 27 points at the net.
Djokovic was caught napping at the start of the decider, with Wawrinka breaking to go 2-0 up but the 2008 Australian Open champion then started to dictate play from the baseline, finishing off the points with timely charges to the net.
Another unforced backhand error by Wawrinka put Djokovic in contention again and the Serb tightened his grip, breaking again with a stunning forehand winner in a 10-minute fifth game.
He ended Wawrinka’s resistance with a forehand winner on his third match point.
Nobody has matched Nadal’s record in the Monte Carlo tournament since tennis turned professional in 1968. Asked if he felt unbeatable in the principality, he said: “No. Sure not.” Djokovic added: “If I think ‘Mission Impossible,’ then I shouldn’t go to the court, like with the white flag.
