Spain's David Ferrer overcame 15 aces from Milos Raonic to book his fourth final at the Barcelona Open on Saturday with a 7-6, 7-6 win against the Canadian. Third seed Ferrer, the ATP number six, has lost all three of his previous finals here to six-time champion Rafael Nadal.
The King of Clay was bidding for another title shot as he played compatriot Fernando Verdasco in the second semi-final holding a 12-0 career record in the series.
Raonic had turned in a breakthrough week on the clay of the Real Club de Tenis, winning all of his matches in straight sets. He defeated Spaniard Nicolas Almagro and upset second-seeded world number four Andy Murray in the quarterfinals. The 21-year-old, ranked 25th, threatened early in the opening set against Ferrer but could not convert on four break chances.