Marin Cilic from Croatia returns the ball to Philipp Kohlschreiber from Germany during their semi final match at the BA tennis trophy in Vienna, Austria, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Hans Punz)
(AP)Cilic, Melzer Reach Vienna Final
Marin Cilic of Croatia, Jurgen Melzer of Austria reach BA Trophy final in Vienna
Top-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia and Jurgen Melzer of Austria won semifinal matches Saturday and will play for the BA Tennis Trophy title.
Cilic beat Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-4, 7-6 (4). Melzer, seeded seventh, rallied past Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4. Cilic is 3-0 against Melzer, who on Sunday will play his first final of the season.
Cilic will be trying for his third title of the season and fourth of his career. He has a slim chance of qualifying for next month's ATP World Tour Finals in London.
"I played my best shots when it mattered most, especially in the tiebreak," Cilic said.
Melzer won his only title at a clay-court event in Romania three years ago. He is the first Austrian to reach the Vienna final since Thomas Muster in 1995 and can become the first Austrian winner since Horst Skoff in 1988.
Cilic, who conceded only two points on serve in the first set, broke Kohlschreiber to lead 4-3. The Croat broke again in the opening game of the second but dropped serve shortly afterward. He saved a set point before wrapping up the victory with two straight aces in the tiebreaker.
Melzer lost his serve in the opening game of the match against Tipsarevic.
"My first serve didn't go well early in the match but I kept fighting," Melzer said.
The 45th-ranked Tipsarevic had his right wrist taped during the second set, which Melzer won with an ace. Melzer's only break came in the seventh game of the third set.
"In the third set, I had the feeling I was physically fitter than him," Melzer said. "I am playing some very good tennis at the moment and get a lot of support here, so it's a pity the tournament is over tomorrow."
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