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Rafael Nadal's defence of
the Rio Open title is over (AP)
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Rafael Nadal lost his
first semi-final on clay for 12 years as Fabio Fognini booked a place in the
final of the Rio Open at the world number three's expense.
The Spaniard, who was the
reigning champion at Jockey Club Brasileiro, was in sparkling form in the
opening set, but Italian number one Fognini came storming back to end his
defence at the penultimate hurdle 1-6 6-2 7-5.
The fourth seed wrapped
up the victory in two hours and 17 minutes with his third match point to record
only his first win in five matches against Nadal.
Fognini,
aiming to win a fifth title, will now lock horns with Nadal's compatriot David
Ferrer in Sunday's final.
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