Jeremy Chardy shocked David Ferrer to book a final showdown with fellow Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the SA Tennis Open.
Chardy survives three match points to book first final appearance
Jeremy Chardy survived three match points to come from a set down to shock second seed David Ferrer and book a final spot at the SA Tennis Open.
Ferrer had looked set for a comfortable win as he stormed a set ahead, but his fifth-seeded French opponent showed admirable fighting qualities to stay alive by taking a tense second set tie-break.
He then repeated the trick in the third to secure his first ATP final appearance, where he will face compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, with a 1-6 7-6 (11-9) 7-6 (7-4) win.
Chardy had appeared no match for Ferrer early on as the Spaniard secured a couple of breaks to breeze through the opening set in just 27 minutes.
But Chardy rallied and having found his rhythm on his serve provided a much sterner test in the second.
Dramatic style
Indeed, the Frenchman sent down 11 aces as he forced a breaker and then denied Ferrer on three occasions when just a point from victory.
He eventually clinched it in dramatic style 11-9 to force a decider which proved another tense, hard-fought affair.
Another tie-break ensued and again it was the Frenchman who held his nerve, this time prevailing 7-4 to book a final showdown with either compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Portugal's Frederico Gil.
Tsonga's progression was much easier as the top seed triumphed 6-3 6-4 against Portugal's Frederico Gil. The top seed needed just over an hour to record his fourth consecutive straight-set victory in the tournament.
Gil, ranked 85 places below his opponent, was competitive throughout the opening set, recovering from losing his serve in the sixth set to break back.
However, Tsonga managed to break for a second time and then went on to close out the set before a single break in the second proved enough.
