RIO DE JANEIRO — Pablo Cuevas and Guido Pella will face off in the final of the Rio Open after beating highly favored opponents in the semifinals to get there.
Cuevas upset Rafael Nadal — who used to be unbeatable on clay — 6-7 (6), 7-6 (3), 6-4 on Saturday. It was the Uruguayan's first victory over Nadal in three attempts, and he finished off the match with an ace.
Nadal, the 14-time Grand Slam winner, was also beaten in the semifinals in Buenos Aires a week ago, also on his favorite clay surface.
"I'm really happy because Rafa is a great player," Cuevas said.