Ferrer Faces Kohlschreiber in Auckland Finals

Defending champion David Ferrer earned a quick victory over Gael Monfils in Auckland. The Spaniard sets up a showdown in the finals against Philipp Kohlschreiber.

By Erik Gudris

(January 11, 2013) -- The Heineken Open finals will feature two men who have won the event a combined four times as defending champion David Ferrer will face 2008 champion Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Kohlschreiber faced off against American Sam Querrey in the first semifinal of the afternoon. Despite the big serving from Querrey, Kohlschreiber matched the American's 10 aces on the day. After Kohlschreiber claimed the first set, he went up an early break in the second set to earn a 4-3 lead. But Querrey broke back for 4-all and soon forced a tiebreak.

But Kohlschreiber stepped up his intensity and put on a blazing display tennis to go up 6-0 in the breaker. Kohlschreiber closed out the match 6-4, 7-6(2) to reach his eighth career final.

“At the beginning of the season, it's the best thing after a long period of practicing, that you achieve some success in the tournaments,” Kohlschreiber told ATP.com. “It feels great to be here. I really like the conditions. Every match, I've played a little bit better the next day and I hope to continue in tomorrow's final.”

Ferrer Moves Past Weary Monfils in Semis

Top seed David Ferrer had lost all three of his previous meetings against Gael Monfils. But the Spaniard came into their semifinal match full of confidence while Monfils himself admitted that he was still recovering from his three-set win over Tommy Haas.

That was clear from the start of the match as Monfils labored during the rallies. Monfils called for a medical time out to have his left thigh wrapped but it did little to help the Frenchman as Ferrer closed out the first set 6-1.

Monfils put on a serving display to hold at love to open the second set but that would be his only bright moment during the match as Ferrer raced past him to secure a 6-1, 6-2 victory in just under 50 minutes.

Ferrer will now aim for his fourth title in Auckland that would tie him for the record held by Roy Emerson. Ferrer leads the overall head to head against Kohlschreiber 6-3.

(Photo Credit: AFP/Patrick Kovarik)