Defending champion Ivo Karlovic reached the Nottingham Open final after a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/4) win against Gael Monfils on Friday.

Karlovic, the fourth seed, is now one win away from retaining the title and plays Spain's Fernando Verdasco in the final.

Karlovic, who beat Arnaud Clement in last year's final, said: "I lost my serve in the second set, which I felt I shouldn't have, so I was unhappy about that.

"But I returned a few points well when he served for the set at 5-4 and I was lucky enough to win that game and the match."

Verdasco ended the prospect of an all-Croatian final as he beat Karlovic's compatriot Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-1.

The third seed is now looking to emulate Rafael Nadal, another Spaniard who won on grass recently at Queen's.

"For Spanish players, it is so special for us playing in finals on grass," Verdasco said.

"Last week Nadal won Queen's and (David) Ferrer is in the final in 's-Hertogenbosch so we are getting better on these kind of courts.

"Tomorrow I have a very tough opponent but I will try to do my best and return his serves, but it is not easy."

France's Monfils faces a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon after revealing he is struggling with a shoulder injury.

Monfils, seeded 30th for Wimbledon, is due to face Australia's Chris Guccione in the first round at the All England Club but he needed treatment after crashing into an advertising board.

"It is not good. I couldn't serve and at the end of the match I couldn't play," Monfils said.

"I came into the net more because I wanted to shorten the points. My physio will have a look at it. He said there is inflammation.

"I know what the problem is and I think it is not too bad. I hope I will be okay for Wimbledon, I will try."

AFP