David Ferrer edged past Gael Monfils 7-6 (7-5)7-5 in the second semifinal of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna setting up a final against former NCAA champion Steve Johnson who beat Ernests Gulbis. Ferrer saved all the six break point chances he faced
Ferrer will be bidding to win his 26th career title in 51 finals. He won all his four finals in Doha, Rio de Janeiro, Acapulco and Kuala Lumpur. Ferrer lost the Vienna final last year against Andy Murray in three sets with 7-5 2-6 5-7
Ferrer and Johnson have never met before in their careers.
Before today’s semifinal Monfils led 3-2 in his head-to-head matches but Ferrer won the last two matches.
The very tight first set went on serve without breaks. Five of Ferrer’s service games went to deuce. The Spanish player had to save six break point chances (three in the first game, two in the third game at 1-1 and another at 4-4. Monfils was solid on serve until the 10th game when he made three double faults. Monfils saved a set point at 5-4 with an ace at 192 km/h
The first set came down to the tie-break which featured four mini-breaks in the first six points. Monfils dropped two points on his serve after committing a double fault and hitting a forehand long. Ferrer converted his fourth set point to clinch the first set with 7-5. During the first set Ferrer won 15 of his 19 net points
Ferrer held his serving games to love in the second set. Monfils had to rally from 0-30 at 4-4 on his serve with four winners. In the 11th Ferrer clinched the only break of the match after Monfils made three consecutive double faults at 5-all in the second set.
Ferrer ais currently ranked eighth in the ATP Race to London with a gap of 1020 points over Jo Wilfried Tsonga
Ferrer will be bidding to equal his compatriot Feliciano Lopez who is the only Spanish player able to win in Vienna in 2004.
“To beat Monfils, I have to play my best tennis. It was a tough match. I served well and my forehand worked very nicely. It’s one of the best seasons of my career and tomorrow I will fight for another title”, said Ferrer
