Wawrinka beats Ferrer to reach Monte Carlo final

MONACO (AP) — Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka reached the Monte Carlo Masters final after beating Spaniard David Ferrer 6-1, 7-6 (3) on Saturday to set up a possible all-Swiss decider against Roger Federer.

Although the third-seeded Wawrinka made a string of unforced errors — 40 compared to 12 for Ferrer — he hit far more winners (31-8) in beating Ferrer for the third straight match.

"It was important to move well, be aggressive. That was my plan," Wawrinka said. "I know when I'm moving well and I can dictate the game, I'm always good against him."

Sixth-seeded Ferrer looked in good form when he beat eight-time champion Rafael Nadal in Friday's quarterfinals, but was unable to withstand Wawrinka's aggressive approach, and spent much of the match pinned behind the baseline.

Wawrinka remains on course for his third title of the season, the fourth of his career on clay and his first in any Masters event.

He moved 5-2 in the tiebreaker with a drop shot that Ferrer could not reach and clinched victory on his second match point when the Spaniard rushed a two-handed backhand that hit the net.

Ferrer, the 2011 runner-up, rarely troubled Wawrinka, forcing only two break-point chances in the match.

"All the time he moved the ball better than me," Ferrer said. "Nothing to say. Stan played better than me."

The 29-year-old Wawrinka has six career titles but has lost his previous two Masters finals on clay — at Madrid last year and in Rome six years ago to Djokovic.

Federer plays defending champion Novak Djokovic later Saturday.