• Monte Carlo Masters

Federer flies into Monte Carlo final

Roger Federer is looking for a maiden triumph in Monte Carlo © Getty Images

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Roger Federer is into the Monte Carlo Masters final for the fourth time in his career after the Swiss overcame reigning champion Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-2.

Djokovic doubt for French Open

Novak Djokovic's chances of winning a fifth Masters 1000 event in a row are over © Getty Images

• Novak Djokovic has revealed he will be taking some time off in order to fully recover from the wrist problem he has had this week, as he is looking to be 100% fit for the French Open beginning on May 25.
• The Serb had complained earlier this week about the pain, but then said it felt better after taking a day off from playing and training between his matches on Tuesday and Thursday.
• Djokovic played with heavy strapping on his right wrist and was unable to serve or return to his usual level, and after his defeat he said: "I just rest now. I cannot play tennis for some time. How long, I don't know. It's really not in my hands anymore. I'm going to rest and see when it can heal 100%, then I will be back on the court.
• "The good thing is I don't need to have a surgery. I don't have any rupture or something like that. I'm going to go see doctors tonight and then tomorrow again have another MRI (scan), see if anything changed in this seven days since I had the last one."

Federer, a runner-up to Rafael Nadal in 2006, 2007 and 2008, will take on fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in Sunday's final after the current Australian Open champion defeated David Ferrer in straight sets.

Federer, who accepted a wildcard to play at the event, saved two set points at 5-4 behind in the opening set, and converted his break point to take a 6-5 lead after winning five successive points on the Djokovic serve.

Federer sealed the set with an ace down the middle and put the pressure on Djokovic early on in the second set, breaking the Serb to take a 2-1 lead with a fabulous backhand up the line.

Djokovic, who has won the last four ATP Masters 1000 events, including the World Tour Finals, looked lacklustre as Federer dominated the rallies from the baseline.

The record 17-time Grand Slam champion raced into a 5-1 advantage, before clinching victory on his serve in the eighth game to beat Djokovic for the second time this season.

"For me it comes as a bit of a surprise to be in the finals again of a tournament this year, especially the first one on clay. But, of course, I'll take it," Federer told atpworldtour.com

"I feel like I have put in the performance to be there, gave myself the opportunity this week. So I'm very happy with my play. Now I set up the dream finals for Stan and myself and Swiss tennis and the Swiss fans. It's very exciting times right now.

"I think it's incredible that we are in the finals together, the same week we've been playing well for some time now. That we're able to have this moment together on a centre court, it's so rare.

"This one is clearly very special, especially with the way he's been playing the past few months, the number of hours we spent together on court either playing doubles or practising, the times we've talked tennis. It's nice living a moment like this together in a final. It's really wonderful. So from that standpoint, I think it's going to be a great day tomorrow."

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