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Rafael Nadal was pushed to beat 111th-ranked Martin Alund 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-1 at the Brazil Open on Saturday to reach his second straight final after a long layoff to treat his left knee.
Nadal will play doubles partner David Nalbandian, the former world No. 3 who defeated Simone Bolelli of Italy 6-3, 7-5 to make it to his first final since being disqualified for injuring a line judge at Queen's Club last year.
Still looking to gain rhythm and not yet in his best shape, Nadal broke Alund's service late in the first set but then struggled in the following tiebreaker, losing six straight points to go to a third set with the Argentine, who made it into the main draw as a lucky loser from qualifying after compatriot Leonardo Mayer withdrew injured.
Nadal was able to take control from the start of the third to close out the match in 1 hour, 56 minutes.
Nadal will be trying to win his 51st singles title on Sunday, and first since winning the French Open for the seventh time last June.
The Spaniard said he struggled with his sore knee throughout Saturday's match at the indoor clay-court tournament.
''I didn't feel well today, it was the worst day for my knee, and if the knee is not well it makes it very difficult to play,'' Nadal said. ''But I am happy with the result. After seven months without playing it's good to reach the final again, even if I'm not at my best.''
Nadal is recovering from a torn and inflamed tendon in his left knee. He returned to action in Chile last week, losing the singles and doubles finals.
The Brazil Open champion in 2005, Nadal had already struggled in his quarterfinal on Friday, escaping with a three-set victory.
He dismisses being the favorite to win Sunday's final.
''It will be very hard,'' Nadal said. ''I didn't feel well today but I hope that I'll be better tomorrow. I'm not the favorite but I'll try my best. (Nalbandian) has been playing very well. Let's see how it goes.''
In the first semifinal, Nalbandian broke Bolelli just two games into the match and easily took the first set, then rallied from 3-1 down in the second at the Ibirapuera arena.
The 93rd-ranked Argentine converted all of his five break points.
''I started playing well, very solid,'' Nalbandian said. ''I lost a bit of focus and it became another difficult match, but fortunately I was able to come through with the victory.''
Seeking his 12th career title and first since 2010, Nalbandian hadn't made it to an ATP final since his disqualification for kicking an advertisement board and injuring a line judge during the grass-court tournament in London last June.
He vehemently complained of a call that went against him early in the second set on Saturday, getting the tournament official involved in the discussion before eventually settling down.
Nalbandian is making his season debut in singles at the Brazil Open. He was out of action for several months last season because of an abdominal injury and withdrew from the doubles in Brazil because Nadal, his partner, decided to rest his injured knee.
''I'm glad to be back playing at a top level again and it's good to make it to another final,'' Nalbandian said.
He eliminated two-time defending Brazil Open champion Nicolas Almagro of Spain in the quarterfinals.
