World number one Juan Carlos Ferrero booked his place in the final with a routine 6-3 6-3 win over Ivan Ljubicic. Ferrero will face Taylor Dent on Sunday after the American upset fifth seed Jarkko Nieminen 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. Ferrero played a more consistent game from the baseline to beat Ljubicic for the first time in three meetings. Ljubicic ousted local favourite Paradorn Srichaphan on Friday but was hampered by a shoulder problem against Ferrero. The Spaniard broke Ljubicic in the fifth game to lead 3-2 and again in the ninth game to take the first set after Ljubicic's backhand sailed out of court. Ferrero led 3-2 in the second set when Ljubicic called for a trainer to massage his right shoulder. The Croat never regained control, managing to hold only one game before losing the match. Dent was erratic at the start of his match, losing two service games to let the fifth-seeded Nieminen establish a 3-0 lead. But the Finn committed a host of errors to give the 22-year-old a chance in the first set tie-break.
Dent unleashed an effective serve and volley game to dominate the tie-breaker and wrapped the set when Nieminen volleyed the ball off court. "I came out a little nervous and took a long time to get my rhythm", Dent said. "Then I tried to get back, calm down and played nicely".
Regarding his prospects for the final against Ferrero, Dent said: "I'll have to hold my games and try to break him once a set, or two if I'm lucky. I have to serve with accuracy and if I can do that, he's going to have a tough time against me".
Bureau report