David Ferrer closed in on a place at the ATP World Tour Finals by beating Steve Johnson in three sets to win the Erste Bank Open on Sunday.

Spaniard Ferrer, seeded first for the ATP 500 series event, came from a set down to defeat American Johnson 4-6 6-4 7-5 in two hours and 15 minutes on the indoor hard courts of the Wiener Stadthalle in the Austrian capital.

A 26th ATP career title triumph saw the 33-year-old veteran move into a tie for seventh in the Race to London standings, level with Kei Nishikori on 3,945 points.

Ferrer is among those vying for the final two berths in the eight-man event at the O2 Arena next month. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is ninth on 2,500 points, with Richard Gasquet (2,445) in 10th spot.  

"It's been an unbelievable season, winning five titles and it's great to be playing well," Ferrer said. 

"I am in a good position for London, but I have yet to qualify. Certainly, I took a big step."

Ferrer, who lost to Andy Murray in the final of last year's Erste Bank Open, made a shaky start on Sunday, giving up his serve in the second game of the opening set and again in the 10th game to go a set down.

There was more of the same in the second set, with the first three games going against serve, as Johnson twice and Ferrer once were broken. 

But that was the last break and indeed the last break-point opportunity the Spaniard gave up in the match, as he made his superior pedigree count against the 25-year-old American, who, at least according to his gracious opponent, gave a good account of himself in his first ATP final.

"It was a very tough match and difficult to beat Steve, who has a good serve and played aggressively throughout the match," Ferrer said. 

"I waited for my opportunity and my experience counted. He also had his chance to win the tournament. Steve is playing very well, he's beaten a lot of good players this week." 

There are now just three events, the Swiss Indoors, the Valencia Open and the BNP Paribas Masters, left prior to the season finale in London.