Nalbandian has dropped out of the world's top 10 to 25th this season
Unseeded Argentine David Nalbandian beat Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-6 to book a place in his first final of the year at the Madrid Masters.
Nalbandian, 25, who beat Spain's Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, broke Djokovic in the third game before holding out to take the first set.
And after a tight second set he wrapped up victory 7-4 in the tie-break.
Nalbandian will meet defending champion Roger Federer in Sunday's final after he defeated Nicolas Kiefer 6-4 6-4.
The world number one had a dozen break-point chances against the veteran German but was only able to convert two in a low-key encounter.
"We had a siesta out there in the first set, there was not much to excite the crowd. It was very subdued and with not a lot of great shots," said Federer.
"We finished a lot of points on errors. But I was ahead in the score and he had the pressure."
It is the first time Nalbandian has made a final since winning in Estoril in May 2006 and the win denied Djokovic an eighth final appearance of the year.
"Djokovic is a player who moves very well, it's very difficult to break his serve," said the Argentine.
"It's tough to know what he's going to do. I just tried to hang in throughout the match and play my game.
"It was not the best match but I'm happy that I won."
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