Valencia, Spain (SportsNetwork.com) - Andy Murray continued his strong play of late with a straight-set victory over David Ferrer in the semifinals of the Valencia Open on Saturday.
The third-seeded Murray earned a 6-4, 7-5 win Saturday, beating Ferrer for the second time in as many weeks. The Scot won a thrilling three-set final last Sunday to capture the title in Vienna, which followed a third-round loss to the Spaniard in Shanghai earlier this month.
Ferrer, the top seed this week, was trying for his fourth title in Valencia. He previously won the tournament in 2008, 2010 and 2012, while also finishing as the runner-up in 2005 and last year.
Murray was the 2009 Valencia winner and will try for his second title on Sunday against Tommy Robredo, a 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-2) winner Saturday over Jeremy Chardy.
Robredo earned his 500th career match victory Saturday and will try to avenge a loss to Murray in the Shenzhen final in September.
Murray picked up an early break of serve Saturday when Ferrer double faulted twice in the opening game. He held serve throughout the opening set, then built a 3-0 lead in the second before Ferrer won four straight games.
A break of serve gave Murray a 6-5 lead in the second, but he nearly squandered the advantage. Ferrer failed to convert three break-point chances in the next game before Murray finally prevailed.
Murray is 4-2 lifetime against Robredo, who will be trying for his 13th career title on Sunday.
The Spaniard is 12-9 all-time in finals, including 0-2 this year. He fell to Pablo Cuevas in Umag back in July before last month's three-set loss to Murray in Shenzhen.
Murray will carry a lifetime record of 30-15 in finals into Sunday's match, including 2-0 this year.
This year's Valencia champion will collect $500,000.