Rafael Nadal set up another final with world number one Roger Federer after beating Toams Berdych 6-0, 7-5 in the semi-finals at the Monte Carlo Masters Series on Saturday.
Earlier, Federer survived an early scare to defeat Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 6-4.
Defending champion Nadal is on a 66-match winning streak on clay.
Nadal defeated Federer 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 7-6 in last year's final in the principality before winning his second French Open with victory over the Swiss in Paris.
The world number one got off to a sluggish start, dropping his serve in the third game as 2003 French Open champion Ferrero hit powerful groundstrokes from the baseline.
Federer twice asked the chair umpire to call for calm as spectators seated overhead were disturbing him.
"They were eating, it's not wrong but it is disrespectful for the people who are trying to watch the game," Federer told reporters.
"They should show more respect to the other fans. Of course, if you are down and you also have the noise, it's more upsetting."
The noise seemed to trouble Federer more than Ferrero, who said: "It did not bother me. I had enough to worry about with Federer."
However, the match turned Federer's way when he saved two break points in the fifth game.
After comfortably saving the first, the Swiss attempted a drop shot that hit the top of the net to fall on to Ferrero's side of the court.
"I was a bit lucky on this point," said Federer.
"But I never had the feeling I was totally out of the match. After breaking back, everything went well."
The Swiss, who grabbed his 500th professional victory with a 6-4, 6-0 demolition of David Ferrer on Friday, made his mark on the second set by breaking in the first game.
He then held serve to wrap up a 76-minute win with a backhand passing shot on his third match point.
© 2024 Rediff.com -