Ferrer needs 3 sets to advance in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Top-seeded David Ferrer rallied for a three-set victory Friday in quarterfinal play at the Malaysian Open.

Ferrer earned a spot in Saturday's semifinals by topping Igor Sijsling 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. The players traded early third-set breaks before Ferrer posted a break at love for a 3-2 lead.

Sijsling had four chances to even the set at 5-5, winning the first three points off Ferrer's serve. Ferrer evened the game at 40-40 but Sijsling earned one more break chance. Ferrer saved that, too, and then took the next two points for the win.

Second-seeded Juan Monaco saved both break points he saw in a 6-3, 6-4 win over Vasek Pospisil. He lost just one point on serve in the first serve.

No. 3-seeded Kei Nishikori advanced when, after Nishikori won the first set 6-4, Nikolay Davydenko retired due to a leg injury.

Seventh-seeded Julien Benneteau sailed to a 6-2, 6-2 win over Alejandro Falla in his quarterfinal. Benneteau won 82 percent -- 32-of-39 -- of the points when serving.

Ferrer will take on Benneteau in Saturday's semifinals. Ferrer is 4-3 in his career versus Benneteau, with wins in their two most recent meetings. Monaco and Nishikori are 1-1 in their previous matches.