Rafael Nadal continued his return from injury by reaching the final of the Chile Open with a 6-2 6-2 win over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.
The 26-year-old former world number one, sidelined for seven months by knee trouble, needed only 64 minutes to dispatch third seed Chardy.
In the final of the clay court event in Vina del Mar, he will play world number 73 Horacio Zeballos.
The Argentine beat compatriot Carlos Berlocq, seeded eight, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).
Nadal, who had beaten fellow Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-1 6-4 to reach the semi-finals, took the first set in little more than half an hour against Chardy, moving his opponent wide with a deep ball to the corner then blasting an overhead winner into the open court.
He broke to love in the third game of the second set, then saved three break points in the sixth game on the one occasion he was put under pressure.
“I played well today, better than the days before, which is important,” said Nadal said. “I won’t compare myself to seven months ago – it’s just the first week of competition. It’s a great feeling to be in a final match after so much time without playing.
“Tomorrow, it will be a tough match against Horacio, who is playing great tennis. I hope to keep enjoying myself like I’ve been doing during this tournament and that my physical condition remains good.” – BBC
