AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- No. 1-seed and defending champion David Ferrer won twice Friday and is returning to the finals of the Heineken Open tennis tournament in New Zealand.
Ferrer, No. 5 in the world, was forced into double duty when rain washed out his quarterfinal match Thursday. He battled Alejandro Falla for more than 2 hours for a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win and then beat third-seeded Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals.