Top-seed David Ferrer beat Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Auckland ATP tournament Friday to cap a gruelling day on court and book a final showdown with Olivier Rochus. The unseeded Rochus, a finalist here seven years ago, came from behind to upset Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 6-4 in the other semi-final.
It was a long day of tennis in blustery conditions for Ferrer and Verdasco who were forced to play two matches after their quarter-finals against Alejandro Falla and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez were washed out on Thursday night. World number five Ferrer began the day with a marathon match against Falla, prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in just over two hours while Verdasco was on court for just as long beating doubles partner Garcia-Lopez 7-5, 6-4.