ATP - Monte Carlo Final Preview

Monte Carlo master Rafael Nadal repelled a spirited fightback from Andy Murray to book a place in the final for a seventh successive year after a grueling three-setter.

The world No.1 will tomorrow face David Ferrer – who earlier beat Jurgen Melzer – for the second successive all-Spanish ATP Masters 1000 event final in the tiny principality following Nadal’s victory over Fernando Verdasco last year. Nadal continued his unbeaten streak at the event to 36 matches while winning six titles in a row, all the way back to 2005, but was made to fight for a 6-4 2-6 6-1 win by the British No.1 in what he described as a “very physically demanding” semifinal.

Murray has still not made a Tour final on clay courts, and it seemed he would not get the chance to rectify that after picking up an arm injury this morning. The semifinal was briefly held up, but the Scot decided to play following some painkilling injections into his problematic right arm.

Nadal looked capable of running away with a simple win after storming to a 4-1 first-set lead, but Murray grabbed a swift break and then fought hard to hold and level the match at 4-4 game. The Spaniard held his next service game, however, and broke Murray’s to take the first set.

The world No.4 snatched an early break in the second set, held of a Nadal onslaught to hold his service in a 20-minute game, and then broke once again – with the winning point being a perfect drop shot. Nadal got back into the set by breaking, but Murray stayed strong under relentless pressure to grab a third break to then serve out the set to force a decider.

Murray – who was pleased to given his “best” during the match – started the final set holding an obviously painful elbow, and struggled as Nadal sprinted into a 4-0 lead. Murray managed a break, but Nadal dropped only 10 points as he eased his way to the decider.

Earlier, Ferrer defeated No.7 seed Melzer 6-3 6-2 to reach the final for the first time. The fourth-seeded Spaniard will be eyeing up the 12th title of his career when he takes on King of Clay Nadal after easing past his Austrian opponent in 78 minutes.

It is just Ferrer’s second Masters final appearance, having lost on clay in Rome last year to Nadal.

The 29-year-old finished off the match when world No.9 Melzer – the winner on Friday against Roger Federer – attempted a crosscourt winner that looped out after clipping off the net.

Ferrer, an Australian Open semifinalist back in January, has already picked up two titles this year – one on the hard courts of Auckland and the other on Acapulco clay –and is “full of confidence”.

The world No.6 is feeling “good physically” as he aims to pick up his first Monte Carlo Masters title and hopes to “keep going” against his countryman tomorrow.

Austrian Melzer, 30, was suitably impressed by his “tough” opponent, stating that chances are rare against Ferrer and that it is essential “you take them” or lose.