SIMON INTO MADRID FINALS

Frenchman Gilles Simon advanced to his first ATP Masters Series final after an exhilarating 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(6) victory over World No. 1 and home favorite Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the Mutua Madrilena Masters Madrid on Saturday.

Simon, who will become the No. 1 Frenchman on Monday, strengthened his bid for one of the remaining four berths at Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai. Currently 10th in the ATP 2008 Race, he now moves to within just six points of No. 8 Juan Martin del Potro, in the process leapfrogging James Blake. If he were to win the final on Sunday, he would move to No. 7 in the ATP 2008 Race with 361 points.