Sao Paulo, Brazil (Sports Network) - Top-seeded Rafael Nadal and former
top-five star David Nalbandian will square off in the Brasil Open finals after
earning victories in Saturday's semi-final round.
Nadal, who captured this event as a teenager in Costa do Sauipe in 2005,
needed three sets to move into the finals, but topped Argentinean lucky-
loser Martin Alund 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-1 on the clay court nonetheless.
Nadal, who needed just under two hours to take care Alund, saved a pair of
break points to cruise to a first-set win. Alund, though, fired off five aces
in the second set, but was only able to save 1-of-3 break points in the final
set.
The former World No. 1 Spaniard will face the oft-injured former
Wimbledon runner-up Nalbandian, who cruised to a 6-3, 7-5 straight-sets
victory over Italian Simone Bolelli
Nalbandian's powerful serve was too much for Bolelli to handle, and he
recorded 11 aces over two sets. Bolelli was unable to break Nalbandian, who
went 5-for-5 on break points, throughout the match.
The 2013 Brasil Open titlist will earn $82,300.
The Sports Network