Third seed Guillermo Coria outlasted Russian Marat Safin 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 to reach the final of the Monte Carlo Masters for the second year in a row on Saturday.

The Argentine, who lost the 2003 final to Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain, was only in trouble briefly in the second set on his favourite clay surface.

Unseeded Safin, the 2000 U.S. Open champion who missed most of last year through injury, made a great start and led 1-0 and 40-0 on Coria's serve.

Coria stepped up a gear, though, and broke his Russian opponent's serve in the third game of the first set which he sealed 6-4 in 42 minutes.

Safin, who was given painkillers because of ankle problems, served better and calmed down in the second set while Coria seemed to falter. Two breaks were enough for Safin to take it 6-1.

It was only a short reprieve, however. Coria, after a tight start to the final set, broke Safin to love to lead 5-3 and served out for victory after one hour and 51 minutes.