FERRERO THROUGH TO FINAL
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero eased past fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-4 to reach the final of the Cincinnati Masters on Saturday.
Ferrero, who beat second seed Rafael Nadal in the previous round, punched the air in delight after clinching victory in 92 minutes to reach his first final of the year.
Seventh seed Robredo broke to lead 2-1 in the first set but Ferrero broke back immediately -- the first time Robredo had lost serve all week -- and then repeated the feat in the eighth game before serving out for the first set.
Robredo had treatment for a groin injury and though his movement seemed unaffected, Ferrero always looked the stronger and broke in the ninth game before serving out for victory.
The world number 31 will meet either American ninth seed Andy Roddick or Chilean 13th seed Fernando Gonzalez in Sunday's final.
Match stats: