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Nadal and Verdasco set up all-Spainish final
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Rafael Nadal thrashed compatriot David Ferrer 6-2, 6-3 in the Monte Carlo Masters, booking a place in the final as he goes in search to win the title for a sixth consecutive year.
Nadal will now take on fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, who overwhelmed top seed Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2 in the second semi-final.
Nadal has not won an ATP title in the last 11 months. The four-time French Open champion lost the first game to love. But swiftly turned the tide, racing into a 5-1 lead and taking the opening set when Ferrer sent a wild backhand long.
The world number 17 contained his opponent admirably at the start of the second set, but a timely forehand down the line saw Nadal break in the fifth game to seize a 3-2 second set lead. From there Ferrer began to flag, his service games peppered with double faults, as Nadal cruised to a 5-2 lead. Nadal then broke again with Ferrer sending a forehand into the net on match point. Nadal was thrilled with the 6-2, 6-3 win.
Rafael Nadal, Monte Carlo Finalist, said, " For me it's more than a dream to be in another final in probably my favorite tournament in the world. Sure it's unbelievable after losing two semi-finals in Indian Wells and Miami, playing really good tournaments, then in the semi-finals, especially the first one in Indian Wells playing so so. Today I think I played aggressive, I played well and that's very important for me.."
Nadal will face fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, who overwhelmed top seed Novak Djokovic in the second semi-final. It was Verdasco who looked the more experienced player, taking full advantage of Djokovic's error ridden game. The Spaniard broke twice in the opening set, dominating the baseline rallies to close it out 6-2 and leave the tournament's top seed with everything to do.
The Serb looked to be back in the match when he broke back in the second set to level at 2-2, but his hopes were quickly extinguished. A superb cross-court forehand winner giving Verdasco another break and from there, the world number 12 never looked back, powering through the set to close out an emphatic 6-2, 6-2 victory.
Verdasco was thrilled to have reached the final - the first Masters tournament final of his career - but with Nadal lying in wait, he was under no illusion about the challenge that lies ahead.
Fernando Verdasco, Monte Carlo Finalist, said, "He's special. He's tough. He's the toughest player to play in a final or whatever the round is. But at the same time it's special to play against the winner five times here in my first final."
Verdasco will be bidding for his first win over the former world number one at his tenth attempt.
