Briton Andy Murray overcame second seed Guillermo Canas of Argentina 7-6, 6-4 on Saturday to reach the Metz Open final.
The third-seeded Scot, whose season has been disrupted by a wrist injury, next plays Frenchman Nicolas Mahut or top seed Tommy Robredo of Spain.
Murray, bidding for his third ATP title, won the tiebreak 7-2 after the opening set went with serve.
The players traded breaks in the second set before Murray wrapped up the win on his first match point on Canas's serve.
"The key was my serve," Murray told a news conference. "I did not have a single break point against me until late in the match.
"This was a test. I now feel I'm getting close to my best level."