ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP)—Rafael Nadal advanced to the Mexican Open final with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Nicolas Almagro on Friday, setting up a championship match against Spanish countryman and three-time defending champion David Ferrer.
Nadal beat Almagro in 1 hour, 49 minutes to improve to 9-0 in their head-to-head meetings.
Ferrer had to work hard to reach his fourth straight final, edging Italian Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1 in 2 hours, 23 minutes. The turning point was the opening game of the third set when Ferrer fought off three break points to hold serve.
Ferrer has won 19 consecutive matches in this event and on Sunday will be trying for his third title of the year.