Fabio Fognini "really happy" to beat Rafael Nadal

Fabio Fognini has admitted that he is "really happy" to have secured a 1-6 6-2 7-5 victory over Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the Rio Open.

It seemed that the Italian was heading for a swift defeat when he picked up just one game in the opening set, but he responded positively in the two sets that followed to advance through to the final at the expense of the world number three.

Speaking after the match, Fognini told reporters: "I'm really happy about this match. I beat the best player on this surface.

"Rafa is always difficult. From the second set I played really well and I tried to change a little bit to be more positive on court."

Fognini will now take on Nadal's fellow Spaniard David Ferrer for the clay-court title.