Brasil Open: Rafael Nadal sets finals duel with David Nalbandian

Sao Paulo, Brazil (4E Sports) – Rafael Nadal secured his spot in the finals of the Brasil Open 2012 with a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-1 win over Martín Alund of Argentina Saturday.

Nadal, upset by Horacio Zeballos in the finals of his first tournament following a seven-month layoff due to a knee injury, is looking for his title since he hoisted the French Open trophy against a resurgent David Nalbandian of Argentina.

Nadal defeated Nalbandian in their last five meetings, with his last win against the Argentine at Indian Wells.

The Spanish tennis superstar toppled João Souza 6-3 6-4 in the second round and Carlos Berlocq 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 before defeating Alund.

Nalbandian bested Jorge Aguilar in the first round and compatriot Guido Pella in the second before upsetting defending champion Nicolas Almagro 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Serena Williams arranged a finals showdown with former world’s no.1 Victoria Azarenka by defeating Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-2 in straight sets.

Williams, the oldest WTA player to become world’s no.1 again at the age of 31, is gunning for 48th career single title against the reigning Australian Open champion. Azarenka secured her place in the finals with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Poland’s Agnieszka Radwańska in the semis.

---

---