By Bill Scott Jul 27, 2008, 2:41 GMT
Toronto - German Nicolas Kiefer could slow Rafael Nadal's march toward the number one ranking held by Roger Federer if he takes a stand in the Sunday final of the Toronto Masters.
The 31-year-old Kiefer has the chance to lift his first ATP trophy since 2000 in Hong Kong if he can derail Nadal as the Spaniard bids for his seventh trophy of the season from eight finals.
The veteran Kiefer cut off the nine-match win streak of Gilles Simon in a 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) victory in their Saturday semi- final as he reached a last four place for the first time since 2005.
Nadal was ruthless against Andy Murray, who took taping on a knee after a heavy serve, posting his 28th consecutive victory 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 after the eighth seed Scot saved two match points.
Nadal has beaten Kiefer three times this year, including on his way to a Wimbledon trophy less than a month ago.
The Spanish world number two improved to 60 - as he plays in his fifth straight final.
'I'm very very happy to be in this final. To win a second time would be unbelievable,' said the 2005 Canadian champion and Wimbledon winner over Federer. 'I played a very good match, and Murray played one of his best matches against me.'
Kiefer's victory in one minute under three hours brought Simon back to earth after a superlative two weeks which included a second- round win over Federer and last week's Indianapolis title.
'It was a very close match, it was not easy to play, anything can happen,' said Kiefer, who attacked ferociously, resulting in nearly 50 winners but nearly a third more unforced errors.
'All I could do was fight for every point. It was not easy, but it is a victory and that's what counts.'
Fragile Frenchman Simon all but ran out of puff in the semis as his body felt the effects of the exertions of the past fortnight. He made things tight at the end with a break of the German in the eighth game, eventually forcing a tiebreaker, which Kiefer won.
Kiefer was overjoyed in victory after coming back from wrist surgeries over the last two years. He will vastly improve his number 37 ranking from Monday.
But Simon will not have to wait long to take his chance for revenge, with the pair drawn into the opening round of the Cincinnati Masters starting on Monday.
Kiefer was a Toronto semi-finalist four years ago, going out to Andy Roddick.
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