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By Alberto Amalfi | Saturday, February 28, 2015

 
Juan Monaco

In a battle of former champions, Juan Monaco defeated Nicolas Almagro, 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-4, to reach the Buenos Aires final for the third time.

Photo credit: @Argentinaopen

Friends and fishing buddies Rafael Nadal and Juan Monaco will try to land a big title when they face off in the Buenos Aires final on Sunday.

The top-seeded Nadal scored a 7-6 (7), 6-2 victory over hometown favorite Carlos Berlocq to advance to his first final since winning Roland Garros last June.

That victory came after Tandil native Monaco squandered two match points in the second set before regrouping to hold off Nicolas Almagro, 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-4 in two hours, 27 minutes.

It is Nadal's 93rd career final and gives him a shot at history. The world No. 4 is bidding for his 46th career clay-court crown, which would tie legendary Argentine lefty Guillermo Vilas for most clay-court titles in the Open.

The 30-year-old Monaco was on course for a straight-sets win in the day's first semifinal as he held two match points in the 10th game of the second set.




Almagro was just getting started. The 2011 champion fought off both match points and eventually rallied from a 3-5 hole in the tie break to prevail and force a third set.

The 60th-ranked Argentine, who fought off 12 of 15 break points in the match, broke twice in the decider.

Almagro has a stinging serve but managed to win just two of 10 second-serve points in the final set.

Serving for the final again, Monaco was down triple break point, but did not crack. He dug out of the deficit to seal the win and advance to his 20th ATP final, including his third final in his adopted hometown.

The result means the Buenos Aires title will be won by an Argentine or Spaniard for the 13th consecutive year.


 

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