Top-seeded Rafael Nadal defeated Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday to reach the final of the grass-court Mercedes Cup. The 14-time Grand Slam winner saved all four break points he faced and converted two of his own to beat the fourth-seeded Monfils of France in 1 hour, 19 minutes. Monfils lost despite serving 11 aces compared to none from Nadal.
Nadal, who was made to work hard against Bernard Tomic and Marcos Baghdatis in the previous rounds, says it was his “best match so far. I am very pleased with my performance.” Nadal will face eighth-seeded Viktor Troicki of Serbia in Sunday’s final. Troicki beat number two seed Croatia’s Marin Cilic in the other semi-final of the day. In a match lasting almost two and a half hours, Troicki prevailed 6-3, 6-7 (1), 7-6 (2). Both players had nine break points each, but the Serb took his chance twice while Cilic, the US Open champion, did so once. The Spaniard is looking for his third title at the tournament after victories in 2005 and 2007 when it was still on clay.
Bencic beats Jelena
S-HertogenBosch (Netherlands): Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic remains on course for her first career title after beating veteran Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals of the grass-court Topshelf Open on Saturday. She next faces fifth-seeded Camila Giorgi of Italy, who is also chasing her first career title after easily beating Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens 6-2, 6-4.
In men’s play, qualifier Nicolas Mahut beat local favorite Robin Haase 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the final. Although Haase had more aces — 12 compared to six — Mahut forced eight break points and converted two. The 33-year-old Frenchman, next meets either second-seeded David Goffin of Belgium or luxembourg’s Gilles Muller, who played later Saturday.