Tennis: Popular American makes Heineken final

Unseeded American John Isner is the first man to advance through to the final at the Heineken Open in Auckland.

And for a change, Isner didn't need three sets to win.

This afternoon Isner, a tall man with a big, booming serve, blazed past the 8th seeded Spaniard Albert Montanes in the first semi-final, 6-2, 7-6.

Isner dominated the first set, hitting an array of big first serves and clean winners.

The second set was much closer, with each man holding serve right through to a tiebreak at six games all. The American prevailed in a close decider, 7 points to 5.

Isner will play the winner of today's second semi-final between former champion Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany, the tournament's 5th seed, and France's Arnaud Clement, who was unseeded.

The lanky American has been a popular hit with the crowd at Stanley St this year, always answering on-court interviewers' questions with refreshing honesty and good-natured humour.

Tomorrow will be his second-ever ATP Tour final.

- NZHERALD STAFF