Nadal to meet with Medvedev at Rogers Cup final, seeking fifth title
CGTN
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Top-seeded defending champion Rafael Nadal of Spain will meet Russian Daniil Medvedev on Sunday in Montreal, seeking his fifth career Rogers Cup title. 

Nadal made his way to the final in a walkover after Gael Monfils withdrew from the tournament. It would have been the second match of the day for the Frenchman, who was forced to finish his quarterfinal match Saturday morning against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain. 

Friday night’s match was suspended due to rain after Monfils won the first two points. He topped Agut 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (2). 

Gael Monfils of France addresses the spectators after pulling out of his match against Rafael Nadal of Spain due to injury at Rogers Cup in Montreal, Canada, August 10, 2019. /VCG Photo

Gael Monfils of France addresses the spectators after pulling out of his match against Rafael Nadal of Spain due to injury at Rogers Cup in Montreal, Canada, August 10, 2019. /VCG Photo

After the morning match, Monfils didn’t sound too confident about playing against the 33-year-old Nadal. “I’m very tired and I hurt myself in the second set. I’ll talk to my team and we will see,” he said.

Medvedev, 23, topped fellow Russian Karen Khachanov 6-1, 7-6 (6) on Saturday afternoon to advance to his first ATP Masters 1000 final. 

When the new world rankings come out on Monday, Medvedev will become the highest-ranked Russian, overtaking Khachanov, who now is No. 8. 

Nadal, who has 82 singles victories, won last year in Toronto and won the French Open in June for his second title of the year. 

Serena Williams of the United States runs down the ball against Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic during semifinals Rogers Cup in Toronto, August 10, 2019. /VCG Photo

Serena Williams of the United States runs down the ball against Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic during semifinals Rogers Cup in Toronto, August 10, 2019. /VCG Photo

Meanwhile, Serena Williams rallied to avoid a stunning upset and secure a 1-6 6-3 6-3 semi-final win over Czech qualifier Marie Bouzkova, setting up a title showdown with local teenager Bianca Andreescu. 

(With input from AFP and Reuters)