South Africa's Kevin Anderson booked his place in the final of the Winston-Salem Open here on Friday, defeating unseeded Tunisian Malek Jaziri in straight sets.
The big-serving 29-year-old from Johannesburg, seeded second for the tournament after receiving a wild card, swept aside Jaziri 6-4, 6-3 to reach only the ninth final of his career.
Anderson, the world number 15, has not won a singles title on the ATP Tour since victory at Delray Beach in 2012.
Earlier Friday, French qualifier Pierre-Hugues Herbert accounted for American 13th seed Steve Johnson to book his place in the final.
Herbert, ranked 140th in the world, fought back after dropping the first set to prevail 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2.
“In France we call it a 'diesel start,'“ said Herbert, who reached the first ATP final of his career.
“It's not always easy to find the rhythm right away. Steve served incredibly in the first set. I could hardly put a ball in the court. Then in the second set I played one amazing return game and the momentum just changed. It gave me confidence.
“I broke with three return winners so it wasn't his bad play. After that I told myself that I could win it.” – AFP