Nadal eyes record 31st Masters title

Rafael Nadal remains on course for a record 31st Masters title after beating Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-1 in the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals on Saturday.

The top-ranked Spaniard never looked in trouble as he beat the fourth-seeded Bulgarian for the 11th time in 12 career meetings.

If Nadal wins Sunday's final, he will earn a 76th career title and also keep his No 1 ranking. Should he lose, Roger Federer will reclaim the top spot.

Nadal faces either third-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany or Kei Nishikori of Japan, who play later Saturday.

In the opening game, Dimitrov came out firing. He pressured Nadal with two superb lobs, forcing a backhand smash wide from the Spaniard for deuce. But Nadal held a tight first game lasting eight minutes, and then broke Dimitrov for 2-0.

Dimitrov found his range, broke Nadal back and held for 3-3. The next two games were even, with Dimitrov matching Nadal in the rallies.

The 16-time Grand Slam champion held for 5-4 and then Dimitrov cracked, serving consecutive double faults and hitting a wild forehand long to trail 15-40. He saved one set point but Nadal was in ruthless mode and took the next chance.

It appeared that Nadal was gaining his usual momentum on clay - and two consecutive love breaks and three easy holds made it 5-0 to the Spaniard in the second set.

Dimitrov explained his collapse this way. "I think I played smart against him. I kind of know his pattern a little bit better," Dimitrov said. "But it was my fault when I got broken. Simple as that. Two double-faults, it's just definitely not acceptable, especially when you play against him on that surface."

Dimitrov finally held, drawing polite applause, but Nadal served out the match with ease. He clinched victory on his first match point when Dimitrov patted the ball wide following a brief exchange.

"You see me with a smile. I'm a positive person," Dimitrov said. "Deep down, I'm hurt. I hate losing. Simple as that."

Nadal shares the Masters record with Novak Djokovic, whose 30 wins include two here.

Nadal's victory at Monte Carlo last year made him the first men's tennis player in the Open era to win the same title 10 times. He then won a 10th title at Barcelona and the French Open.

Kvitova give Czech lead

Victories by Petra Kvitova and Karolina Pliskova gave the Czech Republic a commanding 2-0 lead over hosts Germany in their Fed Cup semi-final on Saturday.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova needed just over an hour for an emphatic 6-3, 6-2 win over Julia Goerges at the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart.

Pliskova followed that up with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Angelique Kerber to put the Czechs in firm control going into Sunday's three ties - two singles and one doubles rubber.

The Czech Republic look well set to continue their impressive recent Fed Cup form having won the title five times in the last seven years.

With the home crowd behind her, Goerges built up a 3-1 lead in the first set only for Kvitova to win the next five games and wrestle control of the match.

In the second rubber, Kerber put in a strong performance, but lost her serve at the crucial moment to lose the first set 7-5.