Intro:

World number five David Ferrer (ESP) beat Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 7-6 6-3 and Kei Nishikori (JAP) won 6-4 6-4 against adopted Castilian Feliciano López -- who was born in Toledo but now calls the Spanish capital home -- in the Madrid Open quarter-finals on Friday.

Script:

World number five David Ferrer became the third Spaniard to reach the Madrid Open semi-finals after defeating Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

An enthralling rally was finally ended when the world number 20 delivered this low smash to go 6-5 up in the first set.

The set went to a tie-break and Gulbis undid his hard work by hitting this backhand long and gifting Ferrer a 1-0 lead.

The momentum had swung in the Valencian's favour and Ferrer prevailed 7-6, 6-3 to join countrymen Rafael Nadal and Roberto Bautista Agut in the last four.

Feliciano López was unable to complete a historic all-Spanish final four as he lost out to in-form Kei Nishikori of Japan in the final quarter-final tie.

Nishikori won this point with a backhand volley before claiming the first set 6-4.

The 24-year-old -- who trains in Florida -- won the second set 6-4 and Nishikori will be hoping the sun's shining on him in Saturday's semi-final against Ferrer.