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Rafael Nadal beats Andy Murray, advances to Monte Carlo final

By The Sports Xchange
Rafael Nadal of Spain. Photo by David Silpa/UPI
Rafael Nadal of Spain. Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo

Rafael Nadal fought back from a set down to beat Andy Murray 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday in the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters.

When fifth-seeded Nadal faces No. 13 seed Gael Monfils of France in the final on Sunday, the Spaniard will challenge for his 68th tour-level crown and ninth at the Monte Carlo Country Club, where he won eight successive titles from 2005-12.

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"I think I played a great second set in terms of mentality," Nadal said. "In the third set, I played aggressive. ... It was a great match. It's a very important week for me, being in a final here again in Monte Carlo, winning against very tough opponents."

Nadal is bidding to draw even with leader Novak Djokovic on 28 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles by claiming his first trophy at this level since 2014 Madrid.

Murray was involved in a heated exchange of words with chair umpire Damien Dumusois.

Murray became angered by the amount of time Nadal was taking between points.

"It's fascinating what you let some of these guys get away with," the second-seeded Murray said to the umpire.

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"You have zero respect for me," Dumusois told Murray at the changeover, accusing him of twice hitting the ball at him. "Don't just make stuff up," came Murray's response.

"You can disagree, but no respect, I cannot accept that," Dumusois said. "I'm not stupid, Andy."

The umpire gave Nadal a time violation on his third match point.

"There were a few things during the match. You guys were watching. You can draw your own conclusions from it," Murray said in his post-match press conference.

The 28-year-old Murray of Scotland was looking to reach the final at the Monte Carlo for the first time, after losing to Nadal at the semifinals in 2009 and 2011.

"He's one of the best, if not the best ever, on this surface," Murray said of Nadal on clay court. "At times today, he played very well. When he does, you can't always decide the outcome. He played some good stuff today and deserved to win."

Monfils beat fellow Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the eighth seed, 6-1, 6-3 in the other semifinal match.

Monfils will need to overturn a 2-11 head-to-head record against Nadal in Sunday's final.

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