MONACO (AP) - Rafael Nadal is back in the final where he'll try to win a sixth straight Monte Carlo Masters after defeating David Ferrer 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinals on Saturday.
Nadal will meet Fernando Verdasco in an all-Spanish final on today. Verdasco thrashed top-seeded Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, depriving the Serb of a chance to avenge his defeat to Nadal in last year's final.
"Since the start (of) 2010, I am playing well in almost every tournament," Nadal said. "This year I think I am playing much better because I am running a little bit better. I am playing more aggressive. That's very important."
It will be the first all-Spanish final at Monte Carlo since Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Carlos Moya in 2002. Verdasco has lost all nine matches he's played against Nadal, who will be aiming for his first title since beating Djokovic on clay in May at the Rome Masters.
Nadal had lost his two previous semifinals, to Andy Roddick and Ivan Ljubicic on hard courts in Masters events at the Sony Ericsson Open and BNP Paribas Open.
"It's very important for me to be in this final," Nadal said. "I played a very good match today. I was a little bit more nervous than usual because I lost two semifinals in a row.
"Verdasco has always had amazing potential. If he is focused mentally, his shots are unbelievable."
Zvonareva to
face Stosur in Charleston final
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki retired from her semifinal match against Vera Zvonareva at the Family Circle Cup on Saturday after injuring her right ankle.
The Danish player was trailing 2-4 in the first set when she slid for a drop shot and her foot caught on the clay surface. She was assisted to her chair and got her ankle taped.
In today's final, Zvonareva meets Samantha Stosur of Australia, who defeated Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 6-3, 7-6 (2).