Rafael Nadal into Chile Open final to face Horacio Zeballos

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.

Rafael Nadal's Grand Slams

Australian Open: 2009
French Open: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012
Wimbledon: 2008, 2010
US Open: 2010

"I played well today, better than the days before, which is important," 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."
Zeballos has beaten three seeded opponents en route to his second ATP final, having previously finished runner-up in St Petersburg in 2009.
The pair have met once, Nadal winning in straight sets at Roland Garros in 2010, one of the seven French Open titles among his 11 Grand Slam triumphs.
Nadal is also in the final of the doubles and will partner Argentine Juan Monaco against Italians Paolo Lorenzi and Potito Starace.
Nadal is playing in his first tournament since a shock second-round exit at Wimbledon to Czech journeyman Lukas Rosol in June.
A torn tendon and inflammation in his left knee kept him out of the London Olympics and the 2012 US Open, while a virus delayed his intended return at the Australian Open last month.
The Spaniard plans to compete on clay in Brazil and Mexico before playing ATP Masters hard-court events at Indian Wells and Miami and then heading to Europe for clay events in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome culminating in the defence of his French Open title.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21392105

Rafael Nadal wins on singles comeback at Chile Open

Rafael Nadal's comeback continued when the Spaniard returned to singles action with a 6-3 6-2 win over Argentina's Federico Delbonis at the Chile Open.

It comes a day after a doubles match partnering Argentina's Juan Monaco, Nadal's first match following eight months out with a knee injury.

“I'm happy because the knee held up well”

Rafael Nadal

Nadal, 26, missed January's Australian Open because of a stomach virus.

The former world number one, now ranked fifth, also missed the London 2012 Olympics and the US Open.
"The beginning was tough and Federico played at a very high level," said Nadal. "I ran a lot and I'm happy because the knee held up well."
Nadal will be involved in doubles action again on Thursday as he and Monaco meet Guillaume Rufin and Flippo Volandri.
Later in the week, Nadal will meet another Spanish player in the singles quarter-finals as he will play either Albert Montanes or Daniel Gimeno-Traver.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21363203