22 Apr 2012

World's top two players to meet in Monte Carlo final

6:07 am on 22 April 2012

World tennis number one Novak Djokovic will try to deal Rafael Nadal another blow when the world's two top players clash in the Monte Carlo Mastersl, where the Spaniard is chasing an eighth consecutive crown.

Nadal recorded his 41st win in a row in the season's first big claycourt event as he defeated Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-3 6-4 in the semi-finals, while the Serbian battled back from a set down to beat sixth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych 4-6 6-3 6-2.

Djokovic has won their last seven encounters, which were all finals in grand slam or Masters events, including at the Madrid and Rome claycourt tournaments last year.

However, Nadal is unbeaten since 2005 in the principality, and has reached this year's final without dropping a set.