In the final, Nadal will face former World No. 3 David Nalbandian, who advanced to his
24th tour-level final as he defeated Italy’s Simone Bolelli 6-3, 7-5. After losing his
first two meetings with Nalbandian, Nadal has won their past four contests, winning
most recently in the BNP Paribas Open quarter-finals last year in Indian Wells.
Nalbandian hit 11 aces and countered losing serve three times by converting all five
of his break point chances to clinch victory against Bolelli in 85 minutes. The No.
80-ranked Bolelli, who upset third seed Juan Monaco in the second round, was contesting
his first ATP World Tour semi-final since 2008.
The 31-year-old Nalbandian has an 11-12 finals record and is through to the title match
of a clay-court event for the first time in five years, since finishing runner-up at the
Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco (l. to Almagro).
Brazil Open 2013, São Paulo • 11 - 17 February 2013
Re: Brazil Open 2013, São Paulo • 11 - 17 February 2013
