Rome - Spain's David Ferrer set up a possible semi-final clash with Novak Djokovic at the Italian Open after disposing of Belgian qualifier David Goffin 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Goffin, who had stunned Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round, had advanced to the last eight of the competition with a walkover after third round opponent Andy Murray withdrew on Thursday citing fatigue.
But despite levelling the match by winning the second set, the 24-year-old from Liege was overcome by his more experienced Spanish rival in the decider.
Ferrer, a French Open finalist in 2013 when he was beaten by compatriot and good friend Rafael Nadal, has never triumphed in Rome, although he reached the final in 2010 when he was also beaten by his fellow Spaniard.
He will meet defending Italian Open champion Djokovic if the Serbian accounts for Japan's Kei Nishikori in their quarter-final later on Friday.
Djokovic warned after a hard-fought third round win over Thomaz Bellucci on Thursday: "He (Nishikori) is not somebody who is a promising player, he's already an established top 10 player, a Grand Slam finalist and very consistent.
"I think he's playing great ever since he started working with Michael Chang."
Seven-time Italian Open champion Nadal, meanwhile, faces Swiss Stan Wawrinka while Roger Federer, looking for his maiden title in Rome, has a last eight meeting with Czech Tomas Berdych.
AFP
