Kratochvil knocked out of Barcelona Open
Switzerland's Michel Kratochvil has failed to qualify for the final of the $1 million Barcelona Open, after Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero forced him out in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2.
Kratochvil took an early 3-0 lead in the first set. After Ferrero held to love his next game, the third-seeded Spaniard capitalised on his regained momentum to win the next two games and push ahead.
Ferrero dominated the remainder of the match, as Kratochvil proved unable to match his accuracy on the ground.
The Spaniard broke Kratochvil’s serve again in game 11 for a 6-5 lead, and then took the tie-break.
Kratochvil lost his serve at the start of the second set, and missed a crucial chance to get back into the match by failing to convert two break-points in game six.
Ferrero broke Kratochvil’s serve again in game seven, and used the first of two match points in the next to book his place in the Barcelona final.
Ferrero is set to face compatriot, Carlos Moya, in what is only the fourth all-Spanish final in the tournament’s 49-year history.
Eleventh-seed Moya beat Sweden’s Thomas Enqvist 6-3 6-3.
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