Rafael Nadal is homing in on a second straight ATP title in Canada after reaching the Montreal Masters final without hitting a shot on Saturday.
The top-seeded world number two was handed an extra day of rest when Gael Monfils withdrew from their semi-final — scheduled to start just hours after the French player defeated Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/2) in a rain-delayed quarter-final.
Nadal will aim for his fifth Canadian trophy on Sunday when he faces Daniil Medvedev, who dominated Russian compatriot Karen Khachanov 6-1, 7-6 (8/6).
Monfils and Bautista, rained out on Friday night, were delayed a further two and a half hours by rain on Saturday.
Although 16th-seeded Monfils out-lasted the Spaniard, he rolled his ankle in the process. A few hours to prepare for Nadal was too much for the French showman — especially with the US Open coming up at Flushing Meadows this month.
Medvedev won the first Masters 1000 semi-final ever played between a pair of Russians to line up a first career meeting with Nadal.
“It’s extra special, but there is some extra pressure,” Medvedev said, noting that he’s played matches against Nadal’s fellow superstars Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
“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.”
