Two-time defending champion Rafael Nadal (pictured) defeated No. 10 seed Tomas Berdych 6-0, 7-5 for a place in the ATP Masters Series Monte-Carlo final on Sunday.
Nadal stamped his authority on the semifinal in the first game of the match, as the 20-year-old Spaniard broke the Berdych serve to love.
The first set flashed past in 24 minutes, with Berdych winning just seven points – four on serve and three on return of serve.
Czech Berdych won his first game at the start of the second set to the relief of a sell-out crowd at the Monte-Carlo Country Club.
Berdych, who had beaten Nadal three straight times at ATP Masters Series events at 2005 Cincinnati and in Montreal and Madrid in 2006, then settled his nerves.
The second set went with serve until 5-5 when Nadal converted a break point, with Berdych serving at 30-40. The 21-year-old Czech double-faulted to seal his fate.
Nadal extended his Open Era record-winning streak on clay to 66 matches, with victory in 84 minutes. He has a 21-5 match record this year.
On Sunday, Nadal will hope to replicate his four-set victory over ATP World No. 1 Roger Federer in the 2006 final. Nadal leads Federer 6-3 overall and has won all four of their previous clay-court meetings. Head-to-Head
Nadal is attempting to become the first player to win three consecutive titles in Monte-Carlo since Ilie Nastase in 1971-73. The only other players to win three times in the Open Era are Sweden’s Bjorn Borg (1977, 1979-80) and Thomas Muster of Austria (1992, 1995-95).
The Mallorcan will attempt to win eighth career ATP Masters Series shield. Last month he clinched the Indian Wells crown, which broke a 12-tournament drought dating back to Roland Garros in June 2006.
Berdych, who won the 2005 ATP Masters Series Paris title, was attempting to become the first Czech player since Ivan Lendl in 1988 to reach the final. The Monte-Carlo resident falls to 12-8 this year.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Nadal: "I think I'm playing very good game, no? I feel great on court all the time, especially in the first set... I play very aggressive inside the court and play very long so he can't play his game exactly. Because he play very aggressive inside the court and I play very, very well after. In the second set I have my chance in the first game of the second with the passing shot of the forehand at 30 All. I made that shot, and, well, after that the match was very, very close."
Looking ahead to the final: "Last year I play very nervous all the time because I was defending a lot of points. This year I am defending the same points but I have the experience. And coming back from the American tour, I was playing very well there. I'm happy with my game here. I know tomorrow is going to be a very, very tough match for me, and I hope him too. If not, going to be bad news. I will try my best."
Berdych: "I'm a little bit sad. [It] was great week for me, semifinal, and it's not so bad... In the second set I had a couple of chances, maybe one or two really small one, but I didn't make them. He [took] his chances and he won the match."
MONTE CARLO RE-CAP
Day 7: Federer Proves Too Strong for Ferrero
Day 6: Nadal, Berdych to Meet in Semifinals
Day 6: Federer Records 500th Career Win
Day 5: Federer, Nadal Fire into Quarterfinals
Day 4: Nadal Sends Warning to Rivals
Day 4: Djokovic Keeps Alive Winning Streak
Day 3: Federer, Gasquet Claim Tough Opening Wins
Day 2: Mirnyi Charges to Victory over Baghdatis
Day 1: Safin Sinks Nieminen in First Round
