Tennis: Isner to take on Clement in Heineken Open final

John Isner of USA, who hsa made it all the way to the singles final at the Heineken Open as an unseeded player. Photo / NZPA

American John Isner has advanced to the Heineken Open final with a 6-2, 7-6 (5) win Friday over eighth-seeded Albert Montanes of Spain.

Isner will play Arnaud Clement of France, who defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-3, 7-6 (2) in another semifinal, in Saturday's final.

Isner, who beat Montanes in their one previous meeting last year in Auckland, assumed the set lead in just over 20 minutes with his opponent double-faulting on set point.

The 24-year-old Isner is through to his first ATP final since 2007 at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, where he was making just his second tour-level appearance. That week, he had five straight wins in third-set tiebreakers before losing to Andy Roddick in the final.

Last season, Isner posted a personal-best 27 match wins to rise more than 100 places in the year-end ATP rankings. He entered the 2010 season ranked a career-high No. 33.

On Thursday, Isner beat top-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

-AP