 Ferrer took advantage of a tiring Verdasco to reach the final
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Spaniard David Ferrer is through to the final of the Rome Masters after a straight sets victory over compatriot Fernando Verdasco.
The world number 17 sealed his 7-5 6-3 victory in an hour and a half to reach his first Masters final.
The 13th seed was 5-1 down in the first set but rallied to win it before bossing the second as Verdasco faded.
Ferrer will face either world number three Rafael Nadal or Latvian Ernests Gulbis who play later on Saturday.
Spaniard Nadal is bidding for his fifth Rome title.
In Saturday's first semi-final, Ferrer was able to take advantage of a sluggish Verdasco who had fought his way to a marathon 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-4 quarter-final victory over world number two Novak Djokovic a day earlier.
However, the world number nine, who has reached the final of his last two tournaments - losing to Nadal in Monte Carlo two weeks ago and beating Robin Soderling to win the Barcelona Open last weekend - seized the initiative in the first set.
But he then lost his composure and a number of unforced errors entered his game as he lost six straight games to give Ferrer the set and control of the match.
The second set was more straightforward for the superior Ferrer who has not dropped a set this week and leads the tour with 23 wins on clay this season.
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