Soderling, Almagro through to Bastad final

BASTAD, Sweden, July 17 (UPI) -- Top seed Robin Soderling and Nicolas Almagro won their Swedish Open semifinal matches Saturday, advancing to the championship match in Bastad, Sweden.

Sweden's Soderling rebounded from a rocky first set to defeat third-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 on the red clay at Bastad Tennis Stadium. It was the second straight day in which Soderling dropped his first set only to bounce back for a win.

Fifth-seeded Almagro, meanwhile, had considerably less trouble with his opponent, Spanish countryman Tommy Robredo, whom he dispatched 6-1, 6-3.

Almagro, who has five career ATP tour championships, is 2-3 all-time against Soderling. However, he beat the Swedish favorite in straight sets at Madrid this year.