Saturday 18 April 2015 18:58, UK
Novak Djokovic reached his fourth Monte Carlo Masters final as he overcame a strong challenge from Rafael Nadal to earn a 6-3 6-3 win on Saturday.
Top seed Djokovic, title-winner in 2013, will aim for his fourth trophy of 2015 and 52nd overall when he takes on Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych.
With Prince Albert among the onlookers, both players produced some stunning tennis as Nadal showed glimpses of his old self, mixing aggression and superb defensive shots from the baseline.
But the Spaniard, who has been struggling to get back to his best after a wrist injury and an appendectomy, was not consistent enough to deny Djokovic a shot at his fourth Masters title in a row.
Nadal will rue his missed chances in the seventh game of the opening set, when he was unable to seize the momentum after a stunning forehand down the line that wrongfooted the Serb. Even Djokovic clapped his racket in appreciation.
After Nadal earned a break opportunity, another superb rally followed but this time Djokovic prevailed, smashing a winner following an exchange of lobs.
Nadal went through a bad patch in the next game as he missed an easy backhand to hand Djokovic two break points. He saved the first one but shanked a forehand into the net on the second.
The second set was a tight affair, with Nadal fighting hard to stay in the match. He saved two break points on his first service game but Djokovic's aggression was finally rewarded after a tense seventh game.
Nadal cracked on his forehand to drop his serve and world No 1 Djokovic broke again in the ninth game to seal his 20th win in 43 matches with Nadal.
The match was a serious reality check for the third-seeded Nadal, who is hoping to clinch his 10th Roland Garros title later this year.
Djokovic said he needed a top performance to go through against his longtime rival.
"I'm very happy with how I played against such a tough opponent. Rafa is the all-time best on the clay, it was not an easy match," the Serb said.
"I played well, it was a relief to get this win. There was a lot of tension, it was tough to keep it all under control.
"I know the final with Tomas will be a different kind of match, but I'll do my best to recover and get ready."
Nadal told a news conference: "He's phenomenal the way that he can move the ball to everywhere. If he takes advantage from inside the court, you are dead. That's what happened, no?"
Djokovic trails Nadal 20-23 in their career series but has now won five of their last six meetings.
I'm very happy with how I played against such a tough opponent. Rafa is the all-time best on the clay, it was not an easy match.
Watch live coverage of the Monte Carlo Masters final on Sunday 19 April, Sky Sports 4 from 1.30pm.
