Tomas Berdych has raced into the Monte Carlo Masters final for the first time in his career, beating Gael Monfils 6-1 6-4 in the semi-finals this afternoon.
The Czech broke the Frenchman, who knocked Roger Federer out earlier in the tournament, in the fourth game of the opening set, as Monfils struggled with his serve early on.
Monfils could not recover, handing his opponent more cheap points to allow him to wrap up the first set with ease after just over 20 minutes on court.
Berdych continued to look too strong for Monfils at the start of the second, breaking him in the first game, but the Frenchman hit back straight away, converting his first break points of the match.
The resurgence was short-lived though as Berdych was a break up again just a couple of games later, allowing him to hold serve twice more and secure the win.
Berdych will face the winner of the match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in tomorrow's final.
Sian Cowper
