体坛英语新闻：Nadal, Murray to fight for Rotterdam title

BRUSSELS, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- World No. 1 Rafael Nadal and world No. 4 Andy Murray will fight for the title of the 1.44-million-euro World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, after both scoring straight-set victories in Saturday's semifinals.

Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a forehand during his semi-final tennis match against Gael Monfils of France at the World Indoor Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam February 14, 2009

Top-seeded Spaniard, the newly crowned Australian Open champion, had been extended to three sets in his previous two matches, but found life was much easier playing No. 5 seed Gael Monfils of France, beating him in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

    Second-seeded Murray, a Scot, crushed in-form Mario Ancic of Croatia 6-1, 6-2, comfortably.

    Going into Sunday's final, Nadal holds a 5-1 head-to-head advantage against Murray in official matches, but Murray won their last encounter at the U.S. Open semifinals last year. The Scot also beat the world's best player in an exhibition match in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates last month.