Top-seeded David Ferrer reached the Valencia Open tennis final for a fourth time after defeating Ivan Dodig of Croatia 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 on Saturday.

Ferrer, the local favourite, will face the Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov who downed Austria’s Jurgen Melzer in the second semi-final.

After world No.5 Ferrer controlled the opening set, Dodig saved two break points to force a second-set tiebreaker, where he converted a third set point by forcing the Spaniard into netting a volley.

Ferrer grabbed a 3-1 advantage in the decisive set after Dodig double-faulted. He then hit a running approach shot to break Dodig again before serving out the win in two hours and 42 minutes.

Ferrer has a chance on Sunday to add the tournament to his five titles this season. He won in Valencia on the indoor hardcourts in 2008 and 2010 after losing the final in 2005 when the tournament was played on clay.