Nadal battles into last four

16 February 2013 04:51

Top seed Rafael Nadal came from a set down to defeat Carlos Berlocq and reach the semi-finals of the Brasil Open on Friday.

The world number five, playing his second comeback tournament after a seven-month injury layoff, won 3-6 6-4 6-4 in two hours and 24 minutes against the 78th-ranked Berlocq.

Nadal will meet another Argentine in the semis when he faces Martin Alund for a place in the final of the clay-court event in Sao Paulo.

Lucky loser Alund, who had never won a match at ATP Tour level prior to this week, defeated fellow unseeded player Filippo Volandri of Italy 7-5 7-6 (7-5) to continue his stunning run.

The world number 111 had earlier this week knocked out fourth-seeded Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.

David Nalbandian continued the strong Argentinean showing with the veteran world number 93 defeating two-time defending champion Nicolas Almagro of Spain 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 7-6 (7-3) in two hours and 17 minutes.

The 31-year-old Nalbandian will next meet Simone Bolelli after the Italian reached his first semi-final at an ATP event since 2008 with a 6-4 6-4 win over Albert Montanes of Spain.