Andy Murray vs. Rafael Nadal: Score, Recap from 2016 Monte Carlo Masters

Rafael Nadal stormed back after dropping the first set to score a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Andy Murray on Saturday in the 2016 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters semifinals. 

Murray shined throughout the first set and looked primed to score his second straight dominant victory after crushing Milos Raonic in the quarterfinals. Nadal started to take over the match midway through the second set, however, and he rode a wave of renewed confidence to the finish line.

Nadal has displayed improved form throughout the tournament. He earned convincing victories over Aljaz Bedene, Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka to set up the semifinal clash with Murray, who understood the challenge in the penultimate round, per Jerome Pugmire of the Associated Press.

"He can make you go for winners from uncomfortable positions," Murray said. "You have to not allow that to happen."

As expected, the match featured a lot of long rallies with two terrific defensive players exchanging baseline shots. Murray emerged as the aggressor in the early going, stepping in to hit some heavy shots and forcing the Spaniard to do a lot of running.

TennisTV highlighted an example of the Scottish star earning a hard-fought point:

Murray took control by earning a break midway through the opening set. He consolidated the advantage with the hold in the next game, saving two break points in the process, and the Scot then earned another break to close it out at 6-2.

The set was more competitive than the scoreline would suggest, but the No. 2 seed was prepared for everything the nine-time French Open champion threw his way. It represented a massive change from earlier in the event when he struggled to find a rhythm against Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Benoit Paire.

Matt Zemek of Attacking The Net noted the story was Murray's strong play more than anything Nadal was doing poorly:

Of course, maintaining such a high level of play for an entire match is difficult and Nadal capitalized in the second set as Murray came back down to Earth.

The key game of the set came after Nadal broke to take a 4-3 lead. Murray had two break-point opportunities to get back level and the Spaniard saved them both. The escape allowed him to win the game, and he held again in his next service game to make it one set apiece.

Carole Bouchard of The Yellow Ball Corner noted Nadal did a much better job of playing the match on his terms in the second:

Christopher Clarey of the New York Times described the unsurprisingly entertaining action:

Being unable to close out the match in straight sets seemed to take a toll on Murray. He dropped serve in the first game of the deciding set and Nadal never looked back en route to completing the comeback win.

It's unfortunate from a viewing perspective that the third set wasn't quite as competitive as the second. But the match still showcased outstanding stretches of play from both players. If they continue to play like that, they'll meet at the business end of events throughout the clay-court season.

Craig O'Shannessy of Brain Game Tennis pointed out the victory puts Nadal in position to reclaim the Monte Carlo crown after winning eight straight titles starting in 2005:

Nadal advances to face the winner of the second semifinal between French countrymen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils in the title match. He holds an advantage over both players in their prior meetings, going 8-4 against Tsonga and 11-2 against Monfils.

The best news for Nadal, regardless of Sunday's result, is how well he's played throughout the event after struggling to find his game during the first quarter of the season. The vast improvement is an encouraging sign with the French Open just over a month away.

As for the immediate future, he should head into the championship match as a sizable favorite with a golden opportunity to capture his first title of the 2016 season.

Post-Match Reaction

Afterward, Murray lamented some missed opportunities to take charge of the match, especially in the second set, as relayed by Bouchard.

"I played a good match today for the most part, but you have to take your chances," Murray said.

Meanwhile, Nadal is hoping to move past the conversation about whether or not he can ever return to his previous levels of success, per Reem Abulleil of Sport 360.

"I don't want to talk every day about if I am back or I am not back … Is something that I don't think about," Nadal said. "I am what I am today."