Tennis: Nalbandian to meet Ferrer in Heineken Open final

David Nalbandian of Argentina in action against Nicolas Almagro of Spain during a semifinal match at the Heineken Open in Auckland today. Photo by NZPA
David Nalbandian of Argentina in action against Nicolas Almagro of Spain during a semifinal match at the Heineken Open in Auckland today. Photo by NZPA
David Nalbandian of Argentina will play David Ferrer of Spain in the final of the Heineken Open in Auckland.

Nalbandian was too strong for temperamental Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, winning 6-4 6-2, while Ferrer won comfortably 6-3 7-5 over unseeded Colombian Santiago Giraldo.

Almagro, playing with a bandaged right index finger, competed strongly in the first set until he needed a medical timeout to get his right foot attended to.

After that Nalbandian was in control. He broke Almagro's serve in the ninth game of the set, and served out the set the next game.

Nalbandian was in control throughout the second set as Almagro went for more quick winners, frequently not coming off.

He broke Almagro twice in the second set and held his serve to 15 to win the match.

Ferrer was in control throughout most of his match against Giraldo, despite enthusiastic support from a small group of Colombians for the latter.