02 August,2015 06:30 AM IST | | A correspondent
Spaniard Rafael Nadal closes in on another clay-court record after beating Andreas Seppi 6-1, 6-2 in semis of the at the Hamburg Open
Rafael Nadal returns to Andreas Seppi in Hamburg Open semis.
Hamburg (Germany): Rafael Nadal must avenge two straight defeats to Fabio Fognini on Sunday to secure a record 47th clay-court title at the bet-at-home Open in Hamburg.
Rafael Nadal returns to Andreas Seppi in Hamburg Open semis. Pic/AFP
On Saturday, Nadal saw off Andreas Seppi 6-1, 6-2 to reach the Hamburg final for the second time, in his first appearance at the tournament since defeating Roger Federer for the 2008 crown.
World number 10 Nadal has been beset by all kinds of problems with his form in a disappointing season, but now has the chance to extend his streak of claiming at least one European clay-court title every year since 2004.
Fognini overcame qualifier Lucas Pouille 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) to book his third meeting of the year with Nadal.
Frenchman Pouille saw off compatriot Benoit Paire in the quarter-finals, but could not pull off another shock victory.
