Toledo's Feliciano López (photo) beat Russia's Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in the semi-final of the Dubai Championship yesterday to reach his first final since July 2006, when he was beaten by France's Richard Gasquet in the last round of the Gstaad Open. His rival for the title will be Andy Roddick, who beat Novak Djokovic 7-6, 6-3.

López has reached four finals in his career, winning one - against Guillermo Cañas in Vienna 2004. In 2005 he became the first Spaniard to reach the Men's quarter finals since Manuel Orantes reached the semi-finals in 1972.

Currently 41st in the ATP rankings, López lost all of his three previous matches against Andy Roddick (ranked 6th).