World number one Rafa Nadal will face Frenchman Gael Monfils in the final of the Qatar Open after surviving a tough test against German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk in Doha.
Monfils beat another German, Florian Mayer, 6-3, 6-2.
Top seed Nadal was far from his best but said he was pleased with the way he responded to falling behind against a player enjoying the best week of his career.
"The positive thing is I am in the finals the first week of the season without arriving here with big preparation," Nadal was quoted as saying on the ATP Tour website (www.atpworldtour.com)
"Without playing my best, I was able to find a solution. It's true that I finished the match playing better than what I started. That's always a positive thing."
Gojowczyk, 24, won the first nine points of the match and held his nerve to claim the opening set.
Nadal responded to open a 4-0 lead in the second set but his opponent refused to fade away and briefly threatened at the start of the decider before succumbing.
Injury-plagued Monfils, who has not won a title since 2011, has lost eight of his 10 matches against Nadal but will feel confident after a commanding performance against Mayer.
The 2012 Doha runner-up needed only 55 minutes to win his semi-final, sending down nine aces.
Image: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his match against Ernest Gulbis of Latvia at Qatar Open in Doha
Photo: REUTERS/Mohammed Dabbous
Murray beaten by Mayer in Qatar
Mixed results for India at ATP Challenger events
Coaching greats good for the game: Federer
Federer trounces Aussie Matosevic to enter Brisbane semis
'I was surprised as I didn't expect the phone call from Novak'