Auckland, New Zealand (SportsNetwork.com) - American John Isner moved into the final, while four-time champion David Ferrer was upset in the semifinals Friday at the Heineken Open, a final hardcourt Australian Open tune-up.
The top-seeded and three-time reigning champion Ferrer was defeated by Yen- Hsun Lu of Chinese Taipei 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), while the third-seeded 6-foot-9 Isner popped 17 aces and rallied from a first-set loss to post a 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 victory over Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.
The 28-year-old Isner won this event in 2010 and will be shooting for his eighth career title in his 17th final. The 30-year-old Lu will appear in his first-ever ATP final on Saturday.
Isner is 1-0 lifetime against Lu, with the victory coming in Atlanta three years ago.
Saturday's winner will earn $82,500.
