David Ferrer will play Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters after securing a 6-2 6-7(3) 6-1 victory over Gilles Simon.
Ferrer took control of proceedings in the early stages by grabbing a break of serve at the first time of asking on the clay surface.
Simon created just one break-point opportunity in the first set, but he squandered it as Ferrer broke again to seal the lead in Monaco.
The second set was a closer contest and Simon battled to save five break points in his opening service game, and he eventually broke the deadlock to go a break up in the seventh game.
Simon served for the match, but Ferrer fought back to make it 5-5 and swung the momentum back in his direction by holding serve in the next game.
A tie-break was eventually needed to decide the encounter, and Simon managed to storm through 7-3, but the third and deciding set did not go in his favour.
Ferrer bounced back by breaking his opponent's serve three times to wrap up the contest.
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