Saturday 18 October 2014 21:53, UK
Marin Cilic fought back from a set down to reach the final of the Kremlin Cup with a 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory over Mikhail Kukushkin.
The Us Open champion struggled to land his heavy first serve and was pushed hard over the opening two sets by his Kazakh opponent.
But Cilic, who earlier in the day had his spot at the ATP World Tour Finals confirmed, came through the stern test to set up a meeting with Roberto Bautista Agut for the Moscow title on Sunday.
"It was very difficult.I felt that he was hitting the ball very, very good and I felt I wasn't serving as well as yesterday," Cilic said.
"The last time I played Bautista was in 2002 and we were under-14s, so it's going to be interesting. We're very good friends.
“He plays very well from the back line and he doesn't make mistakes, so it's going to be difficult."
World No 16 Bautista Agut eased into the final after a 6-4 6-4 victory over French Open semi-finalist Ernests Gulbis.
The Spaniard said: "I served well and moved well along the court. I've won both finals that I've been playing this year. I feel confident."
