Nadal survives Murray battle to reach final

Rafael Nadal needed to produce one of his most stunning performances on clay yesterday to edge an injured Andy Murray 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 and book a place in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters.

For the 15th time in the last two decades, a Spaniard will figure in the title match at the Country club, with six-time winner Nadal bidding for a seventh straight title against compatriot David Ferrer.

The Spanish fourth seed earlier ended the surprise run of Jurgen Melzer 6-3, 6-2.

Nadal needed just shy of three hours to go past Murray, who was reportedly nursing an injured right elbow.

The world no.1 did lose his first set in Monte Carlo since the 2009 final, however, as Murray turned in a fighting effort.

Murray fought a 65-minute opening set, going down in the end but rallying well in the second with an attacking game that left Nadal puzzled as to the best response.

Murray won a marathon 19-minute game, saving five break points for a 3-1 lead and finally levelling the match after a huge effort.

But as what was reported as a pre-match pain-killing injection began to wear off, Murray’s level dropped, with Nadal able to close out a hard-fought win with little resistance in the deciding set.