- ATP Tour
Dogged Ferrer halts Haas in Miami
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.