Rafael Nadal into Montreal final after Gael Monfils walkover, Daniil Medvedev up next

ATP Tour
Gael Monfils interview

Rafael Nadal didn’t have to lift a racket to reach the Rogers Cup final after Gael Monfils withdrew from their semi-final due to injury.

Frenchman Monfils completed his rain-delayed quarter-final against Roberto Bautista Agut on Saturday, winning 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), but he injured his ankle in the clash and then withdrew from his last-four encounter against Nadal.

“At 6-4, 2-1 I had a pain moving backwards, my ankle was already painful, I hurt it again,” Monfils said. “It was okay because I was able to run a lot in the next game.”

He added: “In the third set, I only played on my service games. On return games I didn’t have enough energy to win. I was afraid for my ankle.”

Top seed Nadal, who will be playing in his 51st ATP Tour Masters 1000 final, will take on Daniil Medvedev after the eighth seed won his all-Russian affair against Karen Khachanov.

The first set was a breeze for Medvedev, but the sixth-seeded Khachanov put up a better fight in the second set before going down 6-1, 7-6 (8-6).

“It’s extra special, but there is some extra pressure,” Medvedev, who will be playing in his maiden Masters 1000 final, said.

“But this is what I have been working for all my life. I would never expect to play against them (the ATP elite), especially in the finals of a Masters 1000.

“I won’t be intimidated. I want to win every match I play. Hopefully I can do it tomorrow.”

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Daniil Medvedev Rafael Nadal

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