Russia's Mikhail Youzhny reached the final of the Japan Open with a 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 over Lleyton Hewitt on Saturday.
The unseeded Youzhny had 10 aces in the match that lasted 2 hours, 39 minutes and will face second-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France. Tsonga beat compatriot Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-3 in the other semifinal at Ariake Colosseum.
Youzhny broke Hewitt in the final game when the eighth-seeded Australian hit two successive backhands into the net.