Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Top-seeded David Ferrer needed all three sets on Friday to overcome a game quarterfinal opponent at the $850,000 Malaysian Open tennis event.
The world No. 5 Spanish star fought back to beat Dutchman Igor Sijsling 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in just over two hours on the hardcourts at Putra Stadium.
Ferrer's semifinal opponent will be quality seventh-seeded Frenchman Julien Benneteau, who blew past helpless Colombian Alejandro Falla 6-2, 6-2 on Day 5.
The gritty Ferrer is 4-3 lifetime against Benneteau, including a win at the Miami Masters tournament earlier this year.
Saturday's other semi will pit second-seeded Argentine Juan Monaco against third-seeded Japanese Kei Nishikori. Monaco handled Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 6-4, while Nishikori was leading former world No. 3 star Nikolay Davydenko 6-4 when the Russian retired from their match with an adductor strain. Davydenko captured this Malaysian event in 2009.
Monaco and Nishikori have split two career meetings.
The winner of this $850,000 tournament will collect $153,400.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.