Djokovic sweeps Nadal aside in Monte Carlo semi

World number one, Novak Djokovic, laid down an early French Open marker when he reached the Monte Carlos Masters final with a comprehensive 6-3 6-3 win over eight-times champion Rafa Nadal on Saturday.
Serbian Djokovic, who ended Nadal’s reign on the principality’s claycourts in the 2013 final, will meet Czech Tomas Berdych after the sixth seed beat local favourite Gael Monfils 6-1 6-4 in the other semi-final.
Saturday’s match was a serious reality check for the third-seeded Nadal, who is hoping to clinch his 10th Roland Garros title.
The Spaniard never found the appropriate depth to unsettle Djokovic, who is looking to win his third consecutive Masters title after triumphing in Indian Wells and Miami.
“Even when I was a break down in the first set I kept a winning mentality,” Djokovic told a courtside interviewer.
“I stayed focussed. I’m in great shape, I don’t feel tired.”