Former US Open finalist Juan Carlos Ferrero re-established his hard court game after three years in limbo when he defeated Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final of the ATP Cincinnati Masters Saturday.
The former world number one, who was runner-up to Andy Roddick in the 2003 US Open, set up half of a possible repeat of that match-up with a 90-minute victory over his Spanish compatriot.
Roddick faces Chile's big-hitting Fernando Gonzalez in the second semi-final.
Ferrero, who is set for a move back to the Top 20 after once seeing his ranking plunge 98 in the world, defeated second seeded countryman Rafael Nadal in the last eight.
"I had my moment in 2003," said Ferrero, who produced seven aces and struck 24 winners against Robredo.
"Now it is Nadal's moment. But don't forget that there are other Spanish players."
Ferrero ended a prefect week on serve for Robredo, who came into the match unbroken after 40 service games. That streak ended early in the first set when he double-faulted to lose the fourth game.
The 26-year-old Ferrero is the first Spaniard to reach the title match here since Carlos Moya four years ago.
The elimination of Robredo gave Ferrero wins over three Top 10 players this week, he also beat No. 5 James Blake in the second round.
"I played really good matches, at a very high level against the best," he said.
Ferrero, felled by a run of injuries at the height of his career after his New York highlight three years ago, is bidding for his first trophy since winning the Madrid Masters in 2003.
"I feel very, very happy, I had confidence that I could win this match, but maybe not in two sets. It was easier than I thought."
He rocked the tournament in the quarter-finals with his upset of Nadal, who went out two days after the exit of Roger Federer.
The Spaniard earned victory over Robredo, treated for a groin injury at the start of the second set, on a decision from the electronic line calling system which ruled his concluding ace was good.
"A muscle just get very stiff," said Robredo. "I hope it's nothing serious.
"But in Toronto (last week) I had the same problems in the third round against (Marat) Safin. Here after my match (Friday) I was feeling the same. When it's stiff, its tough for me to move."