VALENCIA, Spain, May 3 (UPI) -- Top seed Juan Carlos Ferrero reached the final Saturday of the Valencia Open without dropping a set during the week.
The 23-year-old Spaniard pleased the home crowd with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 victory over unseeded Brazilian Flavio Saretta, who made his best showing on the ATP Tour this year. Saretta has won two Challenger events in Bermuda and Sao Paolo this year.
Including Saturday, Ferrero has played in three straight semifinals, winning the Tennis Masters Monte Carlo. His record on clay improved to 16-1.
Belgium's Christophe Rochus prevented an all-Spanish final by crushing Fernando Vicente, 6-3, 6-2. Rochus reached his first career ATP final, while Vicente's appearance in the final four was his best effort this year.
Prior to this week, Rochus has lost in the first or second round at every tournament played in 2003. His only other semifinal appearance was in 2000 at Palermo, where he lost to brother Olivier.
