BUENOS AIRES — Reigning French Open champ Rafael Nadal defeated Carlos Berlocq in straight sets to reach the final of the Argentina Open where he will try to secure a slice of clay-court history. The 28-year-old left-handed Spaniard rallied in the opening-set tie-breaker from a 6-1 deficit to win, then clinched Saturday's semifinal match when Berlocq hammered a forehand long on the first match point. “I was serving short in the first set and he (Berlocq) was very aggressive,” said Nadal, who won 7-6 (9-7), 6-2. “In the second I was more aggressive and more dynamic with my shots. The tranquility and confidence gave me more energy at the end. I'm happy with the victory.” Nadal next faces Argentina's Juan Monaco in Sunday's final where Nadal will be trying to equal Guillermo Vilas' all-time record of 46 titles on clay. Earlier in the day, Monaco beat Spain's Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-4 to book his spot in the final. Ferrer, Bacsinszky win In Mexico, second-seeded David Ferrer of Spain won his fourth Mexico Open title Saturday night, beating top-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-3, 7-5 in the hard-court event. The 32-year-old Ferrer has 23 ATP Tour titles, also winning the Qatar in January. He won his previous Mexico titles — in 2010, 2011 and 2012 — on clay. Nishikori won in Memphis, Tennessee, two weeks ago for his eighth tour title. He lost to Marin Cilic last year in the US Open final. Earlier at The Fairmont Acapulco Princess, fifth-seeded Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland won her second WTA Tour title, topping third-seeded Caroline Garcia of France 6-3, 6-0. — Agencies
