Johnson beats Gulbis in Vienna to reach 1st career final

Ferrer came from a set down to beat first-time finalist Johnson 4-6 6-4 7-5 and join Kei Nishikori on 3,945 points in joint-seventh place in the ATP’s Race to London.

Top-seeded David Ferrer eased past Fabio Fognini of Italy 6-4, 6-2 to reach his eighth semifinal of the season at the Erste Bank Open on Friday. Berdych has already qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals.

He took a 3-1 lead as he ended a run of three breaks of service but could not wrap up the set early as Johnson saved a set point in the ninth game.

Johnson earned his third victory over Latvia’s Gulbis, taking 91 minutes to set up a first match with Ferrer.

“It was a very tough match and hard to beat Steve, who has a good serve and played aggressively throughout the match”, Ferrer said. “I will still have to fight”. “I am in a good position for London, but I have yet to qualify”.

South African Kevin Anderson went down to defeat – but not before serving his way through the 1,000 ace barrier. Ferrer faltered at 30-40 hitting a forehand wide to give the American the break.

But neither Anderson nor Karlovic will be joining Ferrer and Monfils in the semis. Second seed Anderson was beaten in three sets by Steve Johnson and seventh seed Karlovic lost in straight sets to Ernests Gulbis.

“It was such a great event for me”, Johnson said. “I’m pleased I went out there and executed”. I’m very glad because I am in the final.

Gulbis, who now stands outside the world top 100 after riding a career ranking roller-coaster, has rededicated himself to training after reuniting with Vienna-based coach Gunther Bresnik. “I’m not going to be sad about this week and I look forward to the rest of the year”.

The Spanish top seed, who lost the Vienna title match a year ago to Andy Murray, won 12 of the last 14 points to see off French crowd-pleaser Monfils after two hours of battle, including an opening set of 75 minutes.