Unseeded John Isner of the US and Frenchman Arnaud Clement overcame more fancied opponents in straight sets victories Friday to go through to the Heineken Open singles final in Auckland.
The towering Isner beat eighth seed Albert Montanes of Spain 6-2, 7-6, and veteran 32-year-old Clement downed fifth seed German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-6 in their semi-finals.
Neither had a charmed ride through to the final.
Isner beat seventh seed Juan Monaco and top seed Tommy Robredo on his way through to the semis, while the Frenchman defeated second seed David Ferrer and sixth seed Jurgen Melzer in the earlier rounds.
The 206 centimetre (six feet nine inches) Isner used his serve to pummel his opponent Montanes in the semi-final, hitting 14 aces and landing 74 percent of his first serves.
"I served exceptionally well today, that really was the difference," Isner said. "He might have played a little bit loose in the first set, but he tightened his game up in the second."
The Spaniard meekly surrendered the first set in just over 20 minutes with a double-fault on set point but fought back gamely in the second.
The 24-year-old American will be playing his second ATP final and the first since 2007. His career has achieved new heights, his ranking rising more than 100 places in the last year to his current high of 33.
The 67th-ranked Clement will also be playing his first final since 2007, although it is his 11th in a career which includes a 2001 Australian Open final loss to Andre Agassi and four tour titles.
Clement's strong all-round game and deft touch were too much for 2008 Auckland champion Kohlschreiber, whose game was marred by unforced errors.
The Frenchman said afterwards his game has gone from strength to strength in the last week.
"I am so happy, I played my best match of this tournament, it was a very great feeling today on the court," he said.
"I play better and better every day, so I hope I will play better tomorrow also."

Unseeded John Isner of the US and Frenchman Arnaud Clement overcame more fancied opponents in straight sets victories Friday to go through to the Heineken Open singles final in Auckland

Tennis: Isner and Clement through to Auckland final

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Tennis: Isner and Clement through to Auckland final

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