Ferrer defeats Melzer for Monte Carlo final

MONTE CARLO: Fourth seed David Ferrer ended the upset run of Jurgen Melzer 6-3, 6-2 to reach the final of the Monte Carlo Masters on Saturday.

The scrambling Spaniard set up half of a potential all-Spanish final as he awaits an opponent from six-time winner Rafael Nadal and the surprisingly on form Andy Murray, seeded third.

That match was delayed after an announcement was made to the crowd that Murray had injured his elbow during a practise session and was receiving treatment.

The Scot and the Spanish world number one came to the court late but began in a regular fashion.

Ferrer doused cold water on Melzer's dream run after the Austrian had put out Roger Federer in the quarter-finals.

Ferrer was playing a Monte Carlo semi-final for the second straight year.

Melzer, seventh on the ATP, was the first Austrian to reach the semis here since Thomas Muster won the title 15 years ago.

Melzer had won his last two meetings with Ferrer, including at Roland
Garros on clay.

The neck pain forced the Austrian off court for treatment against Federer was not a problem on Saturday.

He began strongly with a break but lost his way as Ferrer's steady game paid dividends to frustrate his opponent. Melzer lost the first set
in 38 minutes and went down two breaks in the second.

He saved a match point before Ferrer advanced on his second chance from a Melzer unforced error.