Sunday 3 May 2015 09:44, UK
Australian Nick Kyrgios is set to compete for the first title of his career when he takes on two-time finalist Richard Gasquet at the Estoril Open in Portugal.
Seventh seed Kyrgios reached his first career final by stunning clay-courter Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain 5-7 7-6 (7-2) 6-3.
Gasquet, who is seeded fifth, was broken while serving for victory, before recovering in a runaway tie-breaker for a 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7-1) result over Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.
It was the first loss in nine claycourt matches this season for Garcia-Lopez, winner of the Bucharest trophy last weekend.
Gasquet, who was runner-up in 2007 and 2012 at Estoril, played Kyrgios played twice last season. The Frenchman won a Davis Cup rubber while Kyrgios came out ahead in their Wimbledon second-round clash.
Both finalists are returning from six-week injury spells, with Kyrgios out with an ankle problem and World No 28 Gasquet dealing with back pain.
"It was an incredible victory for me," said Gasquet. "I had doubts that my back would hold up in this competitive level but it's been very good.
"Nick is the future of tennis; it will certainly be a very difficult match. It may be on clay but it will still be tough for me."
World No 46 Kyrgios put his pre-French Open campaign back on track after losing early in Barcelona a week ago while holding two match points against a qualifier.
The 20-year-old finished off Carreno Busta with 15 aces and a break in each of his successful sets.
"I am very excited to play my first final. I played very good tennis this week," said Kyrgios, moving closer to a possible seeding at Roland Garros when the claycourt Grand Slam begins in three weeks.
"I'm enjoying myself a lot. Today was a tough match. He played very well in the first set, failed very little and gave me little opportunity in the second and third sets.
"I thought I served well the whole match and got some chances on his serve. I kept pushing after losing the first set and I thought I hung in well."
