Ferrer took advantage of errant shot making by the fifth-ranked Swede in the first and third sets to score key break points, including in the sixth game of the final set when Soderling hit wide for the Spaniard to get out to 4-2.

Soderling fired wide for Ferrer to clinch it in front of his hometown fans.

The eighth-ranked Ferrer improves his chances of qualifying for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London this month.

Ferrer will play the winner between Gilles Simon and Marcel Granollers, who meet later on the indoor hard court at the City of Arts and Sciences complex.

Soderling struggled over the close of the first set.

He saved Ferrer's first break chance before netting a forehand to trail 5-3. Ferrer clinched the first set by serving out the ninth game to love.

But Soderling immediately rallied behind his service game as he fired seven of his eight aces in the second set.

Soderling forced Ferrer deep behind the baseline with some aggressive shot-making, eventually pouncing forward to set up his first break chance with a soft drop shot. Soderling hit an on-the-run passing forehand down the line to break and lead 2-0.

Ferrer kept Soderling from breaking again in the sixth game as both players held serve to set up a third set.

Ferrer pulled ahead in the fourth game after chasing down Soderling's crosscourt shot and catching him at the net for a volley reply that landed wide. Ferrer converted the subsequent break with a passing shot for 3-1.

Soderling broke straight back but then began to spray his shots wide, and Ferrer broke again when Soderling slapped a backhand wide.