Benneteau stuns Ferrer to reach Kuala Lumpur final
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Julien Benneteau will look to capture his first career singles title on Sunday after knocking out top seed and world No. 5 David Ferrer at the $850,000 Malaysian Open tennis event.
The seventh-seeded Benneteau saved 10 break points in Saturday's 6-4, 6-1 semifinal victory over the Spaniard. It was his first win in eight matches against Top 10 players this year.
A runner-up in Sydney in January, the loss dropped the 30-year-old Frenchman to 0-6 in finals.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Benneteau has played in 198 career ATP tournaments without winning a singles title, the most among active players. However, he does own six career doubles titles.
In order to end the drought, Benneteau will have to beat Juan Monaco. The second-seeded Argentine saved one match point in Saturday's other semifinal, outlasting third-seeded Japanese Kei Nishikori 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4).
The 28-year-old Monaco will be appearing in his 16th career final, seeking his first non-clay title. He has captured three titles this year, posting triumphs in Vina del Mar, Houston and Hamburg, to raise his career total to six.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sunday's match will mark the first meeting between the two players.
The winner of this tournament will collect $153,400.