World No.6 David Ferrer is all set to lock horns with fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in what could potentially be a pulsating encounter between the two clay-court specialists.

Ferrer is chasing his 15th career title and he has a very impressive 28-5 win-loss record for the season so far. Ferrer also became the first contender on tour to win three titles this season. He triumphed in Auckland, Buenos Aires and Acapulco. Ferrer reached the final in Barcelona displaying some amazing clay court tennis before falling to Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard is one of those players on tour who work hard and keep improving their game to constantly perform on tour and maintain their ranking. The former Australian Open semifinalist is one of the players to watch out for on clay.

His opponent - Almagro made a half-decent start to the year as he reached the semis at the Chennai Open and then followed that up by reaching the Australian Open last sixteen only to be out played by World No.7 Thomas Berdych. The right-hander then had a splendid February, as he won his first ATP event this year by winning at Sao Paolo. Then at Buenos Aires, the Spaniard reached the finals, only to be undone by his opponent today in a fiercely fought three setter. Then at Indian Wells too, he reached the quarterfinal, where he was outplayed by Novak Djokovic. Since then, he has not lived upto his billing and put in diappointing displays at Monte-Carlo and then in Barcelona.

The two have met nine times in the past and Ferrer has won them all. Almagro hence comes in with a lot to prove in this match.

TennisEarth predicts a two set victory for Ferrer.