Haas downs Isner to reach San Jose ATP final

Germany’s Tommy Haas hits a return in Melbourne on January 15, 2013. Haas advanced to the final of the $547,000 ATP SAP Open with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph over US second seed John Isner on Saturday.

SAN JOSE, California (AFP): German fourth seed Tommy Haas advanced to the final of the $547,000 ATP SAP Open with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph over US second seed John Isner on Saturday.

Haas, who at 34 surrendered seven years to his rival, fired eight aces and connected on 75 percent of his first serves while Isner, known for his big serves, had nine aces but connected on only 59 percent of his first serves.

Haas lost three of his four prior matches against the American but they had not faced each other since 2009.

In Sunday’s final, the 22nd-ranked German will face either Canadian top seed Milos Raonic or US third seed Sam Querrey, who meet in a later semi-final.

Raonic, a top seed for the first time at an ATP event, is trying to become the first three-time winner of the San Jose event since Tony Trabert from 1953-1955. It will Raonic’s last chance as the event will end after this year.