ANDUJAR SETS ALL-SPANISH CASABLANCA FINAL WITH RAMOS

Written by: Staff on 14th April 2012

ANDUJAR SETS ALL-SPANISH CASABLANCA FINAL WITH RAMOS

Albert Ramos of Spain returns to Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 16 January 2012. EPA/DAVID CROSLING EPA/DAVID CROSLING AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

Casablanca, Morocco

by ATP Staff

14.04.2012

(Original Link: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/04/15/Casablanca-Saturday-Ramos-Reaches-First-Final-Andujar-Plays-Cipolla.aspx)

Seventh seed Albert Ramos defeated Igor Andreev 6-3, 7-6(7) Saturday at the Grand Prix Hassan II to reach his first ATP World Tour final in Casablanca.

The Spaniard saved eight of nine break points against his serve to claim victory in one hour and 53 minutes, improving to 3-0 against the Russian.

“It was a difficult and very close match today,” said Ramos. “I had to run a lot and he was hitting the ball so hard.”

Ramos, ranked a career-high No. 52 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings this week, is bidding to become the first player this season to lift his first career title.

“It is my first ATP World Tour Final. I’m very happy and excited about the match tomorrow,” Ramos said.

On Sunday, the 24 year old will face defending champion Pablo Andujar. The No. 3 seed beat Flavio Cipolla 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 55 minutes to increase his undefeated record at the ATP World Tour 250 event to an 8-0 mark.

Andujar is through to his fifth final, all coming on clay. He is 2-0 against his countryman, winning their most recent meeting in the third round of theBNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March.