Rafael Nadal on cusp of clay history at Argentina final

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Rafael Nadal beat Carlos Berlocq 7-6 (7), 6-2 on Saturday, setting up a final against Juan Monaco at the Argentina Open.

If he wins Sunday, Nadal will tie Guillermo Vilas for the most clay-court titles with 46.

The top-seeded Nadal was on the brink of losing the first set against the 74th-ranked Berlocq, falling 6-1 to the Argentine in the tiebreak, but the Spaniard won eight of the next nine points to make his first final since winning the Roland Garros title almost nine months.

Monaco, seeking his second title at the Argentina Open, edged Nicolas Almagro of Spain 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-4 in 2 hours, 28 minutes.

The 60th-ranked Argentine saved 12 of 15 the break points he allowed to Almagro.