CHENNAI (Reuters):

Belgian Xavier Malisse stunned world number two Rafael Nadal 6-4, 7-6 to move into the final of the Chennai Open yesterday.

Third-seeded Malisse produced a dominating all-court display, serving powerfully and breaking the top seed in the third game to clinch the first set.

Malisse will face Austrian Stefan Koubek in today's final in the $416,000 event. The 30-year-old left-hander beat former world number one Carlos Moya of Spain 6-3, 6-1 in the other semi-final.

"It's my first victory against a player ranked as high as number two. I served very well, while for him nothing went right on set points," Malisse told a news conference.

Disappointed

Nadal, who won five titles in his first eight tournaments in 2006, has not reached a final since Wimbledon in July when he lost in four sets to world number one Roger Federer.

"I am disappointed - it is important for me to reach more finals and win them," Nadal said.

World number 37 Malisse, a semi-finalist at Wimbledon in 2002, had to fight hard to keep the rampaging Mallorcan at bay in the second set.

The 26-year-old saved three set points each in the 10th and 12th games and played superbly in the tie-break to shut out the Spanish left-hander 7-4.

"I had my chances in the second set but he (Malisse) was playing really well and served well," Nadal said.