By DPA
Auckland : Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero will bid for his first ATP title since 2003 after he set up a Saturday final clash against German Philip Kohlschreiber at the Heineken Open here Friday.
The veteran Spaniard, winner of 11 titles including the French Open five years ago, outlasted Frenchman Julien Benneteau 6-3, 6-4 in one semi-final, while seventh seed Kohlschreiber crushed Argentine Juan Monaco 6-2, 6-1 in the other.
It was 31st ranked Kohlschreiber’s second solid performance in the early stages of the season. He earlier reached the Doha quarter-finals last weekend.
“I came out loose and everything went well. I’d just like to carry one of my results to Melbourne,” Kohlschreiber said.
Ferrero is making his fourth appearance in Auckland. He reached the quarter-finals on his debut in 2000.