Though he missed out on adding a 12th career title Sunday, Japan's Kei Nishikori at least proved his injury woes are behind him by reaching the final of the Monte Carlo Masters.

The unseeded Nishikori's defeat to world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the final of a hard-fought campaign just over a month after returning to the ATP Tour sent a message that he is still a formidable force on clay.

"I was able to return to a Masters final after injuring (my right wrist) last year. It was a long week but I've gained confidence by reaching the final," Nishikori said.

Nishikori, who was sidelined last August with the season-ending injury, was playing in a final for the first time since the Rogers Cup in July 2016.

After the 1-hour, 32-minute match at the Monte Carlo Country Club, Nishikori heaped praise on Nadal, who claimed his 31st career Masters title to move one ahead of rival Novak Djokovic on the all-time list of Masters-level winners.

"He is such a tough player I can't even compare him to others," Nishikori said of the tenacious left-hander who he has never beaten in four meetings on clay.

"He's not someone you can easily attack. He made it difficult until the very end."

While stressing he was not making excuses, Nishikori admitted fatigue played a factor in his two-set defeat. The 28-year-old Shimane native was pushed to three sets in four of his five matches before the final compared to Nadal, who was coming off four straight-set wins.

With the 6-3, 6-2 victory, Nadal extended his run of consecutive sets won on clay to 36. The week was all about Nadal retaining his top spot in the rankings, while away from the spotlight Nishikori showed he is slowly but surely clawing his way back to a place among the sport's elite.

After the wrist injuries that caused him to fall down the ATP rankings, Nishikori is on the rise again. He surged 14 places to 22nd on the latest list released after his Monte Carlo run.

Should he play the way he did this week on Roland Garros' red clay, Nishikori's wish to get another shot at Nadal, while playing "good tennis" against him, might be granted sooner than he thinks.

Both Nishikori and Nadal are competing at the May 27-June 10 French Open. Nishikori will be looking to improve on last year's quarterfinal finish, while the "King of Clay" is targeting a record 11th title.