Rafael Nadal vs Kei Nishikori: LIVE Monte Carlo Masters final updates

Rafael Nadal is bidding to win the Monte Carlo Masters for an incredible 11th time.

The world No 1 has already seen off Aljaz Bedene, Karen Khachanov, Dominic Thiem and Grigor Dimitrov in the Monaco sunshine this week.

Standing in his way today is Japanese star Nishikori, who came from a set down to beat Alexander Zverev in his semi-final.

Nishikori is just 2-9 against Rafa, but he won their last meeting, which was for a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and in 2014 he led Nadal by a set and a break in the Madrid final on clay before getting hurt and eventually retiring.

But with Nadal getting back to his best, Nishikori knows he faces a tough task the afternoon.

"Tomorrow is a different opponent," said Nishikori.

"He's been dominating like crazy this week. I know it's going to be tough. For me, I think I'm improving every match. I feel very confident right now.

Rafa has been hitting very, very heavy, especially his forehand. His backhand also. He's been playing very solid this week.

“I’m sure there is a way to beat him. But, to see him this week, it looks little bit difficult."

RAFAEL NADAL VS KEI NISHIKORI LIVE UPDATES (* denotes on serve)

*Rafael Nadal 6-3 3-1 Kei Nishikori

Nadal just turning it up a notch now as he rattles off four conseutive points and Nishikori barely gets a look in.

Rafael Nadal 6-3 2-1 *Kei Nishikori

As I say that, Nadal reaches for his towell to wipe the sweat off his brow.

Nadal is making Nishikori run around the court, dictating play as his efforts pay off as he breaks.

*Rafael Nadal 6-3 1-1 Kei Nishikori

Simple stuff from Nadal, he doesn't look like he's even worked up a sweat in the Monaco sunshine either.

Rafael Nadal 6-3 0-1 *Kei Nishikori

Nishikori finds himself at deuce with Nadal carrying on where he left off but the Japanese holds, just.

*Rafael Nadal 6-3 Kei Nishikori - NADAL WINS FIRST SET

The crowd erupts again as Nishikori plays a fierce forehand to go 15-30 up. 

Nadal has his first set point but Nishikori plays a delightful volley at the net to go to deuce but it's to little avail as Nadal wraps up the set at the next opportunity.

Rafael Nadal 5-3 *Kei Nishikori

Nishikori isn't going down without a fight as he rattles off four quick points. Nadal now serving for the first set.

*Rafael Nadal 5-2 Kei Nishikori

Nishikori's ambitious cross court effort is way off the mark as he slips to 40-15 .

Nadal gifts his opponent a way back to deuce though with a rare mistake.

Several deuces later and Nadal wraps up a tricky game to move within one of the first set.

Rafael Nadal 4-2 *Kei Nishikori

One of the longest rallies of the match sees Nadal earn himself two break points. 

Nishikori saves one but not the other as his shot goes long.

*Rafael Nadal 3-2 Kei Nishikori

Neither player is yet to find their stride on their first serves up until now but Nadal just has... and that's bad news for Nishikori.

Rafael Nadal 2-2 *Kei Nishikori

Nadal doesn't like being broken early and he lets Nishikori know that as he wins the opening two points.

Nishikori then makes a mistake, and as you'd expect from the world No 1 he responds by breaking straight back.

*Rafael Nadal 1-2 Kei Nishikori

Nishikori has two break points and takes it at the first attempt.

Nishikori draws Nadal in with a drop shot which the Spaniard makes, before the Japanese fires a winner beyond his opponent's reach. 

Even the crowd enjoyed that one.

Rafael Nadal 1-1 *Kei Nishikori

A quick forehand catches Nishikori off guard to put Nadal 30-40 up but the Japanese saves break point - twice.

A lovely line drive from Nishikori then puts him within a point of holding his service game but Nadal denies him.

But at the third time of asking Nishikori finally holds - a sign of long service games to come?

*Rafael Nadal 1-0 Kei Nishikori

Nadal drops the first point of the match but quickly finds his feet to take the first game.

Nadal is wearing a delightful luminous orange t-shirt with matching headband. Nishikori has a headband too, but sadly, it doesn't match his top.

It's the little things that matter.