Rafael Nadal defeated Gael Monfils, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final of the Stuttgart Open on Saturday.
The Spanish top seed could become the first man to win titles at the event on both clay and grass if he goes on to clinch the crown.
Nadal dominated their 79-minute contest despite the Frenchman firing 11 aces.
The 14-time Grand Slam winner saved all four break points he faced, and converted two of his own to move past the fourth seed.
The Spaniard, who claimed the Stuttgart title on clay in 2005 and 2007, has now won 11 of his 13 meetings with Monfils.
'Pleased' Nadal, who was made to work hard by Bernard Tomic and Marcos Baghdatis in the previous rounds, said the semifinal was his “best match so far. I am very pleased with my performance.”
The other semifinal will be played between US Open winner Marin Cilic, who beat German qualifier Mischa Zverev 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5), and Serbian eighth seed Viktor Troicki, a 7-6(3), 6-1 winner over Australia’s Sam Groth.
The results:
At Stuttgart Open (Mercedes Cup): Semifinal: Rafael Nadal bt Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-4.
Quarterfinals: Viktor Troicki bt Sam Groth 7-6(3), 6-1; Marin Cilic bt Mischa Zverev 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5).
At ’s-Hertogenbosch (Topshelf Open): Semifinal: Nicolas Mahut bt Robin Haase 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
Quarterfinals: Gilles Muller bt Marius Copil 7-6(4), 6-1; David Goffin bt Illya Marchenko 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2.
