Nadal, Ferrer move to Monte Carlo finals

MONTE CARLO, Monaco, April 16 (UPI) -- Rafael Nadal topped Andy Murray 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 Saturday to move on to the finals at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.

Nadal, the top-ranked player in the world, needed nearly 3 hours to eliminate Murray and advance to Sunday's finals against countryman David Ferrer.

Nadal converted 7-of-19 break points in the grueling match, which had a total of 31 break situations.

The victory was the 36th consecutive win for Nadal on the clay courts of the Monte Carlo Country Club, where he is a six-time defending champion.

Ferrer had an easier time in his semifinal match against Jurgen Melzer, who made the semifinals by beating Roger Federer. Ferrer needed 78 minutes to oust Melzer 6-3, 6-2.