Ferrer earns finals shot versus Djokovic

BEIJING, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Eighth-seeded David Ferrer used a late third-set break Saturday to earn a berth in the finals of the China Open against world No. 2-ranked Novak Djokovic.

Long after Djokovic wrapped up a 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 semifinal win over John Isner, Ferrer battled Ivan Ljubicic for nearly 2 1/2 hours before emerging with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win.

Ljubicic evened the match with a break in the sixth game of the third set but Ferrer retook the advantage three games later. Ferrer staved off one more break point before cashing in his third match point opportunity to make the finals.

Djokovic has lost more than three games in only one set this week -- the first one Saturday against Isner. As if to show that was a fluke, Djokovic stormed through the second set, losing just two points in four service games and breaking Isner's serve twice in closing out the match.

Djokovic and Ferrer have split their previous eight meetings and each is looking for his second tournament title of the year.

The 2010 China Open champion will take home $500,000 while the runner-up will be given $230,000. The semifinals appearance was worth $110,000 each to Isner and Ljubicic.