text: Sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych overwhelmed Gael Monfis 6-1, 6-4 Saturday to reach the final of the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time. Berdych immediately took control from the baseline and Monfils struggled to cope with the fast pace imposed by the big-hitting Czech. Monfils won just 11 points in a lopsided first set before the Frenchman changed his strategy, using more sliced shots to break up his opponent's rhythm. Tomas Berdych has reached the Monte Carlo Masters final for the first time in his career . The sixth-seed defeated Frenchman Gael Monfis 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday to secure his place in the final . The move paid off early in the second set when Monfils broke back to level at 1-1 as Berdych made two forehand errors. Monfils failed to build on the momentum, though, dropping his next service game as his hopes of becoming the first French player in 15 years to make the final at the Country Club vanished. 'It's always difficult when I'm up against Tomas, I can't find the proper way to play him,' said the 14th-seeded Monfils after his sixth loss in seven matches against the Czech. 'Hopefully I'll find the solution one day.' Monfils, who was a wild-card entry this week after recovering from a hip injury sooner than expected, added that his poor percentage on his first serve was a decisive factor. 'But even when I served well, he was returning hard and deep,' Monfils said. 'He reads my serve very well.' Chasing a second Masters title 10 years after he made his breakthrough at the Paris Masters, Berdych will face either Rafael Nadal or top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the final. Berdych will face either Rafael Nadal or top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the final in Monte Carlo . Monfils won just 11 points in a lopsided first set as he struggled to cope with the big-hitting Czech . After dictating from the baseline in the first set, he was able to raise his game when Monfils looked capable of coming back. He fended off two consecutive break points in the sixth game of second set with authority, following up two big serves with powerful forehands. Berdych hit 21 winners and sealed his win in 67 minutes with a forehand down the line. The Czech has been in excellent form this year, reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open and finishing runner-up in Doha and Rotterdam.
target: Tomas Berdych defeated Gael Monfis 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday .
  The sixth-seed reaches Monte Carlo Masters final for the first time .
  Berdych will face either Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic in the final .