HOUSTON – Ryan Sweeting and Kei Nishikori came into the semifinals on Saturday relatively inexperienced in that round, having advanced that far in an ATP World Tour event just once between the two of them.
That proved to be no obstacle, as both advanced to the US Men’s Clay Court Championship final with straight sets wins.
Sixth seed Nishikori, 21, will play for his second career title after he outlasted seventh seed Pablo Cuevas 6-3 7-5 on Saturday.
Nishikori, who won his maiden ATP title at Delray Beach in 2008, had not been broken entering the match, but the two battled through seven combined breaks of serve on Saturday afternoon.
The win marks the crowning achievement in a remarkable year-long comeback for Nishikori. One year ago, Nishikori held no ranking on the ATP World Tour following a 2009 elbow surgery. On Monday, he will reach a career high ranking inside the Top 50.
Sweeting will also having a career high ranking on Monday after he reached his first career final by winning his first career semifinal 7-6(3) 6-3 over qualifier Ivo Karlovic.
The 6-foot-10 Karlovic was the 2007 champion, but it was clear on Saturday that playing seven matches in eight days, including an over three-hour match Friday against John Isner in which each set went to a tie-break, caught up with him.
The first set went without a break, but Sweeting turned it on in the tie-break, winning five straight points to claim the set. With an early break in the second, he was able to secure the win and reach his first career final.
Karlovic finishes with 56 aces in his four main draw matches, just four shy of the tournament record 60 hit by Pete Sampras in 2002. Including his three qualifying matches, Karlovic hit 106 aces this week.
