Chennai, India –  Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia and Canada's opening Chennai Open.

The top-seeded Tipsarevic earned a 6-1, 6-4 win over Japanese qualifier Go Soeda after Raonic knocked off second-seeded Nicolas Almagro, 6-4, 6-4.

In the opening semifinal, the fourth-seeded Raonic didn't face a break point and dropped just four points on serve in the first set. After converting one break in the opening set, he converted another in the second set for a 5-4 lead. Almagro's only break opportunities in the match came in the next game, but Raonic saved all three and finally closed it out to earn a spot in his third ATP final.

Raonic, the 2011 ATP Newcomer of the Year, was 1-1 in title matches last year. He beat Fernando Verdasco for the San Jose crown in February, then followed up the next week with a loss to Andy Roddick in Memphis.

Tipsarevic also had a breakout 2011 campaign, winning his first two career ATP titles while reaching three other finals. He won tournaments in Kuala Lumpur and Moscow last October, while losing finals in Delray Beach, Eastbourne and St. Petersburg.

On Saturday, the ninth-ranked Tipsarevic won the first five games against Soeda, who reached the semifinals after a stunning quarterfinal win against Stanislas Wawrinka. Soeda regrouped somewhat in the second set, breaking serve to square it at 3-3, but Tipsarevic broke right back and went on to finish the match in 80 minutes.

Tipsarevic, who is 2-5 all-time in ATP finals, and Raonic will meet for the first time Sunday.

The winner will earn a first prize of $71,900.