SAO PAULO — Rafael Nadal beat David Nalbandian 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the Brazil Open Sunday, winning his first title since returning from a seven-month layoff to treat his left knee. Nadal thrust his arms into the air and pumped his fist after Nalbandian sent a shot long to give the Spaniard his second title at the indoor clay-court tournament. The Spaniard also won the event in 2005. It was Nadal's 51st singles title, and first since winning the French Open for the seventh time last June. Nadal struggled to find a rhythm in the beginning, but was still able to break Nalbandian's serve twice to take the first set, then rallied from 3-0 down in the second to win six straight games and close out and match in 1 hour, 18 minutes at the Ibirapuera arena. Seeking his 12th title, the 93rd-ranked Nalbandian was playing in a final for the first time since he was disqualified for kicking an advertisement board and injuring a line judge at Queen's Club last June. The former world No. 3 hasn't won a title since 2010 in Washington. Nadal, who was coming off two three-set matches, still looked far from his best and didn't seem to be moving well. The knee appeared to be bothering him again and he left many balls unchallenged throughout the match. But with the support from the local fans and with former Brazil star striker Ronaldo and mixed martial arts champion Anderson Silva in the crowd, Nadal took control of the match in the second set to secure the victory. Nadal had battled to a 6-3, 6-7, 6-1 win over Argentine Martin Alund Saturday to qualify for the Brazil Open final. The Argentine had advanced defeating Italian Simone Bolelli 6-3, 7-5 in the other semifinal. Del Potro wins in Rotterdam Juan Martin Del Potro beat Julien Benneteau 7-6 (2), 6-3 Sunday to win the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, going one better than his runner-up spot last year. Benneteau managed what no other player at the tournament achieved — breaking Del Potro's service twice in the first set — but always struggled to hold his own service against the big-hitting Argentine and crumbled in the second set. The 2009 US Open winner had not dropped a single service game heading into the final. Benneteau, who beat No. 2-ranked Roger Federer in the quarterfinals, is now 0-8 in ATP finals. Benneteau saved four match points when serving at 5-2 in the second set, but it was only a stay of execution as Del Potro served out the match to love. Benneteau won an all-French semifinal in one hour and 50 minutes, beating compatriot Gilles Simon, the fifth seed, 6-4, 7-6 (7/2). Simon was treated midway through the second set for a left leg injury. Raonic to face Haas Two-time defending champion Milos Raonic of Canada fired 12 aces in beating US third seed Sam Querrey 6-4, 6-2 Saturday to reach the final of the $547,000 ATP Tour SAP Open. The big-serving top seed will try to become the first player since Tony Trabert in 1953-1955 to win the San Jose title three years in a row when he faces German fourth seed Tommy Haas in Sunday's indoor hardcourt final. Haas, ranked 22nd, defeated US second seed John Isner 6-3, 6-4 in the other semifinal. Raonic, 22, and Haas, 34, will face each other for the first time in what will be the final match in the history of the event, which will be dropped from the ATP schedule after this year. Querrey had won both prior matches against Raonic, including last year at Wimbledon, but the World No. 13 dropped only five points on his serve in the match and never faced a breakpoint in overwhelming the American this time. Haas fired eight aces and connected on 75 percent of his first serves while Isner, known for his big serves, had nine aces but connected on only 59 percent of his first serves. — Agencies
