Rafael Nadal sees off Dimitrov to cruise into 12th Monte Carlo final

The 31-year-old, who needs to win an 11th Monaco title to retain the number one ranking ahead of Roger Federer, will face either Kei Nishikori or Alexander Zverev in Sunday's final.

"Every year is different and equally special," said Nadal, after beating Dimitrov for the 11th time in 12 meetings.

"So I'll just focus on doing the things that I have to do to give me another chance tomorrow. That's it.

"I don't want to think about another title yet, I just want to think about the way I have to play and try to be ready for it."

Nadal came through a tight first set but always looked too strong for Dimitrov and raced through the second in half an hour. The top seed is bidding for an outright record 31st Masters title this week and extended his run of consecutive sets won on clay to 34.

Nadal, playing his first ATP tournament since he retired from his Australian Open quarter-final against Marin Cilic in January with a hip injury, has shown no signs of rust. Following a 6-0, 6-2 last-eight demolition of Dominic Thiem, Nadal has lost only 16 games in four matches this week.

Dimitrov immediately put Nadal's serve under pressure with two perfectly-judged lobs forcing deuce, but the top seed came through an eight-minute opener.

Nadal didn't take long to get into his stride, breaking at the first time of asking as Dimitrov struggled in the longer rallies.

The Bulgarian continued to go for his shots and brought up three break-back points in game five as Nadal followed a double fault with two wayward groundstrokes.