Ferrero is looking for his fifth title this season

Ferrero beat France's Cedric Pioline 6-2 6-1 in 55 minutes and remains on course for his fifth title of an impressive season.

"I hope to play in the final but I know it's going to be tough," said the 21-year-old. "I'm satisfied with my game. I'm playing well with the altitude and I hope I can play two more matches here."

In the other half of the draw, Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic eased past Switzerland's Michel Kratochvil 6-4 6-2.

Kratochvil was the last Swiss player in the tournament but was no match for Novak, who claims he is playing his grasscourt game on the Gstaad clay.

"When the clay is fast, I'm like a fish in water," said Novak, who has already beaten clay court specialists Guillermo Coria and Felix Mantilla. "This is a great feeling."

Novak's semi-final opponent will be defending champion and fourth seed Alex Corretja of Spain, who fought past Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3.