Rafa Nadal continued his resurgence with a thrilling 2-6 6-4 6-2 victory over world number two Andy Murray yesterday to set up a Monte Carlo Masters final against Gael Monfils.

Eight-times champion Nadal has struggled since losing the 2013 final to Novak Djokovic but overcame a strong early showing from Murray to book a spot in Sunday’s final.

Monfils beat eighth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1 6-3 to become the first Frenchman to reach the Monte Carlo final since Cedric Pioline in 2000.

“It’s great to be back in the final,” said Nadal.

“Every year is different; I’ll never be the same as I was in 2009 or 2013, I want to play better every day.”

Nadal started sluggishly, allowing an aggressive Murray to take the opening set before breaking serve in the seventh game of the second to take the initiative. Another Nadal break at the beginning of the third set was a sign of things to come and the Spaniard demonstrated his mastery on clay as the momentum slipped away from the ill-tempered Murray to reach the 100th final of his career.

“Rafa is playing better this year, his confidence is growing. I’m not surprised by his comeback,” Murray said.