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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 9:06 a.m., Saturday, April 11, 2009

Tennis: Ferrero beats Andreev to reach Casablanca final

Associated Press

CASABLANCA, Morocco — Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain beat top-seeded Igor Andreev of Russia 7-6 (9), 6-3 on Saturday to reach the final of the Grand Prix Hassan II tournament as he seeks his first title since 2003.

Ferrero, unseeded at the clay-court event and chasing a 12th career title, plays fifth-seeded Florent Serra of France in the final.

Ferrero's last tournament victory came at the Madrid Masters in October 2003, the same year he won his only Grand Slam at the French Open and lost the U.S. Open final to Andy Roddick.

Serra advanced 6-4, 6-4 against Albert Montanes of Spain. He's looking for his third career title.

The Frenchman last won in Adelaide, Australia, in January 2006. His only other title came in Bucharest in 2005.

Andreev struggled with his serve against Ferrero and faced 10 break points. He saved seven of them, but the third break helped Ferrero take control of the second set.

Meanwhile, Serra's gritty defense and a reliable second serve carried him through.

"I had some difficult moments in the second set when I saved break points," the 28-year-old Serra said. "He had beaten me a month ago in Indian Wells, and I'm happy that I made it this time."

Serra, who is 2-0 in finals, is not sure what to expect against Ferrero.

"I have beaten Ferrero twice, but I have never played him on clay," he said. "I saw that he's very strong physically this week."