Nadal v Monaco in Argentina

Buenos Aires - Rafael Nadal has defeated Carlos Berlocq 7-6 (7), 6-2 on Saturday, setting up a final against Juan Monaco at the Argentina Open.

If he wins on Sunday, Nadal will tie Guillermo Vilas for the most clay-court titles with 46.

The top-seeded Nadal was on the brink of losing the first set against the 74th-ranked Berlocq, falling 6-1 to the Argentine in the tiebreak, but the Spaniard won eight of the next nine points to make his first final since winning the Roland Garros title almost nine months.

Monaco, seeking his second title at the Argentina Open, edged Nicolas Almagro of Spain 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-4 in 2 hours, 28 minutes.

The 60th-ranked Argentine saved 12 of 15 the break points he allowed to Almagro.