Ferrer outguns hard-hitting server Janowicz

WORLD number three David Ferrer reached the semi-finals of the Valencia Open for the fourth consecutive year with a 6- 4 4-6 6-0 win over fifth seed Jerzy Janowicz.

Ferrer broke the bigserving Pole for the first time this week on his way to taking the opening set, but Janowicz responded with the one break of his own enough to take the second.

However, Ferrer, the three-time champion in his home region, took control at the start of the decider as the errors flowed from the Janowicz racquet to race through the set without the loss of a game.

‘‘It was a very hard game, he served very well,’’ Ferrer said. ‘‘He doesn’t allow you to gain rhythm with his huge serve and it is very difficult. In the first two sets I missed more than normal, but in the third I managed to concentrate and produce better tennis.’’

Next up for Ferrer is compatriot Nicolas Almagro, who beat Italian Fabio Fognini 7-6 (8-6) 6-2.