Rio de Janeiro, Feb 23 (IANS): Top-seeded Rafael Nadal suffered a fright before progressing to the final of the Rio Open with a 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10) win over fellow- Spaniard Pablo Andujar.
The 13-time Grand Slam winner came close to losing his first match on clay for 10 months, saving two match points in a tense final-set tiebreak Saturday, reports Xinhua.
Nadal will meet Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov in the final of the ATP World Tour 500 event.
The world No. 56 Ukrainian upset second-seeded David Ferrer 6-4, 6-4 -- only his second victory against the Spaniard in eight attempts.
In the women's event, top seed Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic advanced to the final with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Brazilian Teliana Pereira.
She will meet Japan's Kurumi Nara, who defeated Nastassja Burnett of Italy 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.