July 31, 2010
UMAG, Croatia -- Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain reached the Croatia Open final for a second straight year after dispatching Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-4, 6-2 Saturday.
Ferrero will play Sunday against Potito Starace of Italy, who beat eighth-seeded Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 to gain his first final in three years.
Former No. 1 Ferrero lost to Nikolay Davydenko in last year's final at the clay-court tournament. He is appearing in his fourth final this year after winning in Costa do Sauipe and Buenos Aires and being runner-up at Acapulco.
He's looking for his 15th title in his 33rd career final.
Starace is still seeking his first.
"I am happy to be in my first final after three years. This is a big opportunity for me," Starace said. "It's not easy to win the title, but I will try."
Chela, who ousted top-seeded Davydenko in the quarterfinals on Friday, lost control after winning the tiebreaker, losing his serve five times.
Starace blew a 5-2 lead in the first set, but gained the momentum when he broke at 2-2 in the second.
Starace "served better and played better on big points," Chela said.
