World number one Rafael Nadal saved two match points in a nerve-wracking final set tie-break before beating Viktor Troicki Saturday to secure a place in the Japan Open final against Gael Monfils.

The Spanish top seed, who completed a career Grand Slam by winning the US Open last month, eventually saw off his Serbian opponent 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (9/7).