Sat Jul 12 15:02:19 2008

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Robredo, Berdych advance to Bastad final

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Bastad, Sweden (Sports Network) - Third-seeded Tommy Robredo took down top- seeded and defending champion David Ferrer, while Fourth-seeded Tomas Berdych discarded second-seeded Fernando Verdasco in Saturday's semifinals at the Swedish Open.

Spaniard Robredo defeated fellow Spaniard Ferrer 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 in a match that was interrupted by multiple rain delays.

The 26-year-old Robredo improved his season record to 25-14. This will be Robredo's second ATP final appearance this year. He lost in straight sets earlier this year to Nikolay Davydenko in the final in Warsaw. Robredo will be playing in his 14th career ATP final (6-7).

The world No. 4 Ferrer beat Nicolas Almagro in last year's finale here. The 2007 Tennis Masters Cup runner-up Ferrer drops to 38-14 on the season.

In the other semifinal match, Czech Tomas Berdych came from behind to beat Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 at Bastad Tennis Stadium.

Berdych fired eight aces, saved five of seven break points against him, and converted three of six break point chances to avenge his recent Wimbledon loss against Verdasco.

The 22-year-old Berdych was a finalists here three years ago, when he lost to Rafael Nadal in the finale. He will now contest his first ATP final since last year in Halle, where he captured his third ATP singles title with a victory over Marcos Baghdatis.

Berdych and Robredo will meet in Sunday's final. Berdych holds a 2-1 lifetime record against Robredo. In their only match this year, Berdych ousted Robredo in three sets in Monaco.

This was the first time since 1984 that the top four seeds had completed the semifinal line-up here.

The 2008 Bastad titlist will pocket $85,000.