World number one Rafael Nadal saved two match points in a nerve-wracking final set tie-break before beating Viktor Troicki Saturday to secure a place in the Japan Open final against Gael Monfils.
World number one Rafael Nadal saved two match points in a nerve-wracking final set tie-break before beating Viktor Troicki Saturday to secure a place in the Japan Open final against Gael Monfils.
The Spanish top seed, who completed a career Grand Slam by winning the US Open last month, eventually saw off his Serbian opponent 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (9/7).
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Earlier, French fifth seed Monfils used an array of fine passing shots to beat Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3, staying in control throughout their semi-final.
"I'm really happy to be in the final in Tokyo for the first time," said Monfils, 24, who reached the semi-finals last year, losing to compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Stepanek had the first break chance in the sixth game of the first set after a couple of service return winners and a Monfils double fault but the Frenchman got out of trouble with an ace.
Monfils then broke Stepanek twice in a row, sealing the set with a fizzing forehand down the line.
The fifth seed broke again in the sixth game of the second set, ending the match with his fifth ace of the day.
Monfils, who lost to Stepanek at the Brisbane International earlier this year, said the key was practice time against a serve-and-volleyer.
"It's tough, because there are not a lot of guys like him, I mean serve and volleyers. I tried to return good, to return with consistency, and tried to make him hit a volley every time, and I had a bit of luck," said Monfils.
"In Brisbane, I had a shoulder problem, so I couldn't serve 100 percent. I came today very strong. That made the difference," he said.
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