MONACO (AP) David Ferrer comfortably defeated seventh-seeded Jurgen Melzer of Austria 6-3, 6-2 Saturday to reach the final of the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time.
The fourth-seeded Spaniard will bid for his 12th career title against either top-ranked Rafael Nadal or third-seeded Andy Murray in the final. They were to play their semifinal later Saturday.
Ferrer sealed the win when Melzer, who beat 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in the quarterfinals, tried a crosscourt winner and the ball looped out after clipping the net.
Ferrer, the Australian Open semifinalist, has won two titles this year, on hard courts in Auckland, New Zealand, and on clay in Acapulco, Mexico.
The Spaniard started slowly, taking 10 minutes to hold his opening serve, before Melzer broke him in the third and held for a 3-1 lead.
But after Ferrer broke back to 3-3, Melzer became nervous.
He fell 15-40 down on his next service game at 4-3 down, and a double-fault gave Ferrer a 5-3 lead. Ferrer then held to love, clinching the set when Melzer's two-handed backhand hit the net.
In the second set, Ferrer had an easier time and took a 5-2 lead.
Ferrer has reached his second Masters final, having lost the Rome Masters on clay to Nadal last year.