Nadal reaches Brasil Open semifinals

• Tweet

SAO PAULO, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Top-seeded Rafael Nadal of Spain advanced to the semifinals of the Brasil Open Friday with a three-set victory over Carlos Berlocq of Argentina.

Nadal dropped the first set but prevailed in the second despite five aces served up by Berlocq, and went on to win the match 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Nadal will meet another Argentine in Saturday's semifinal. Lucky-loser Martin Alund secured a match against Nadal by out-dueling Filippo Volandri, the defending champion of the tournament, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5).

David Nalbandian made the semis by topping three-time Brasil Open champion and No. 2 seed Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 7-6 (7-3). Almagro served 28 aces in the match but Nalbandian played a solid match with only one service break.

Nalbandian will face Simone Bolelli, who made the semis with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Albert Montanes of Spain.