For the second time in three years, top-ranked Novak Djokovic ended Rafael Nadal’s run at the Monte Carlo Masters, overcoming a potent effort from Nadal to reach the final with a 6-3, 6-3 win in Monaco.
Djokovic, who extended his winning streak to 16 matches, will face sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych in the final of the clay-court tournament. Berdych beat Gaël Monfils, 6-1, 6-4, earlier.
With Prince Albert of Monaco among the spectators, both players produced some stunning tennis in the semifinal. But Nadal, who has been struggling to return to his best form after a wrist injury and an appendectomy, was not consistent enough to deny Djokovic a chance to win his fourth Masters title in a row.