Nadal brushes aside Dimitrov

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal swept aside Grigor Dimitrov to ease into his 12th Monte Carlo Masters final with a 6-4, 6-1 victory on Saturday.

In Sunday’s final, the 31-year-old, who needs to win an 11th Monaco title to retain the No. 1 ranking ahead of Roger Federer, will face Kei Nishikori, who beat Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the second semifinal.

Nadal came through a tight first set but always looked too strong for Dimitrov and raced through the second in less than half an hour.

The top seed is bidding for a record-extending 31st Masters title this week. Nishikori, meanwhile, is yet to win a Masters title in three previous final appearances, including one against Nadal in Madrid four years ago when he led by a set and a break before retiring injured.

The Japanese player, ranked 36, did enough to wear down a tired Zverev who came through a late-night thriller with Richard Gasquet on his 21st birthday on Friday.

The results:

Semifinals: Rafael Nadal bt Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-1; Kei Nishikori bt Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.