Rafael Nadal is one win away from a Buenos Aires title match against either doubles partner Juan Monaco or fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro. Standing in Nadal’s way on Saturday is Carlos Berlocq.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Carlos Berlocq
Nadal is still trying to pick up steam in his comeback from a second half of 2014 that was doomed by a wrist injury and appendicitis. His first three events of this season did not go well, with losses to Michael Berrer in Doha, Tomas Berdych at the Australian Open, and Fabio Fognini last week in Rio de Janeiro. At the Argentina Open, however, Nadal eased past Facundo Arguello then destroyed Federico Delbonis 6-1, 6-1 in the quarters.
Up next for the fourth-ranked Spaniard is a fourth career meeting with Berlocq on semifinal Saturday. All three of their previous encounters–all in 2013–have gone Nadal’s way. He prevailed twice on clay and once on hard courts at the Shanghai Masters, winning six of seven total sets. Not unlike his opponent, Berlocq came into this week with no momentum. The 74th-ranked Argentine was just 1-4 for the year, but he booked his spot in the semis by defeating Diego Schwartzman, Fabio Fognini, and Blaz Rola all in straight sets. Berlocq is playing inspired tennis in front of his home crowd, but he does not have the necessary weapons to deal with such a steep climb in competition level.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 8-10 games
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Juan Monaco vs. Nicolas Almagro
Monaco and Almagro will also be squaring off for the first time since 2013. Almagro leads the head-to-head series 7-3 (6-3 at the ATP level), including 6-2 on clay. The two veterans faced each other twice on the slow stuff in 2013, with Almagro getting the job done 6-3, 7-5 in Barcelona and 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 in Hamburg.
Both men are seeking some resurgent form. Almagro missed much of last season due to a foot injury, but he reached the Sao Paulo quarterfinals and so far in Buenos Aires he has ousted Pablo Andujar, Albert Ramos, and Tommy Robredo. Monaco plunged out of the top 100 last August and September, but he is back up to No. 60 and climbing. Coming off a quarterfinal in Rio de Janeiro, the 30-year-old Argentine boasts wins this week over Maximo Gonzalez, Leonardo Mayer, and Pablo Cuevas. Monaco’s two-hour and 38-minute battle against Cuevas will not help as he attempts to withstand Almagro’s superior firepower.
Pick: Almagro in 2
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