• ATP Tour

Dogged Ferrer halts Haas in Miami

David Ferrer was not at his best but he found a way past Tommy Haas © Getty Images

Enlarge

David Ferrer weathered an early storm to halt Tommy Haas' fine run at the Sony Open.

Haas rolled back the years to topple world No. 1 Novak Djokovic earlier in the event and he made a blistering start against Ferrer - flashing winners off both wings at will.

Ferrer is one of the most dogged players in the game and the moment Haas' level dropped a shade, he pounced and after taking the second set he won an arm wrestle in the third to book his place in the final.

Haas came out like a player brimming with confidence and worked an early break. The 35-year-old was aided by the inconsistent play from Ferrer, but to Haas' credit he had his opponent scampering all over the court.

While serving for the opening set, Haas produced a moment of brilliance when striking a brilliant half-volley backhand down the line for a clean winner. Ferrer's error count was too high in the first set and it was summed up on set point when he sent a framed forehand high into the crowd.

Haas continued to produce brilliance and a backhand down the line in the fourth game of the second set flummoxed Ferrer and helped the German hold serve.

Ferrer kept in the hunt and a love hold for 3-2 tipped the momentum his way. The Spaniard kept probing and forced an error from Haas, a double fault, and one point later he broke through as Haas miscued a forehand.

Haas shrugged off the loss of the second set and came out strong in the decider. A backhand winner set up break points in the opening game ad he took the second of the chances when Ferrer missed with a forehand.

Ferrer responded immediately, breaking back despite Haas saving one of the three break points in the game with a sublime lob.

A third break in a row followed as Haas attacked the misfiring Ferrer serve. Hard though he tried, Haas could not shake off Ferrer and the Spaniard levelled the match once again at 3-3 when retrieving ball after ball and ultimately forcing the error from his opponent.

Ferrer found some first serves to move ahead at 4-3 and he then soaked up some massive hitting from Haas before a double fault gifted the Spaniard a decisive break. And one game later he wrapped up a 4-6 6-2 6-3 win to book his place in the final against either Andy Murray or Richard Gasquet.

Laura Robson will take her place in a final in Miami after teaming up with Lisa Raymond to beat Sara Errani and Roberto Vinci in the semi-finals of the women's doubles.

Italian pair Errani and Vinci are a formidable doubles partnership, but they were simply overwhelmed by Robson and Raymond who won 6-1 6-2.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.