RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Rafael Nadal has been eliminated from the Rio Open in the semifinals.

Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas defeated the former world number one by two sets to one, and will now meet Argentine Guido Pello for the title.

After Nadal took the first set 6-7, Cuevas stormed back with set wins of 7-6 and 6-4 to progress in a contest that lasted just under three-and-a-half hours.

The South American used the force of his serve to put Nadal on the backfoot. In the end, it proved too strong, with Nadal committing more errors than his opponent.

It is the second successive tournament.