Memphis, TN – Austrian's Jurgen Melzer advanced to the seeded Czech Radek Stepanek.
The 30-year-old southpaw fired eight aces, including five in the decisive third set, as he bested Stepanek 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in just over two hours on the indoor hardcourts at The Racquet Club of Memphis.
It was the second win over a seeded opponent in as many days for Melzer, who also defeated top-seeded American John Isner in Friday's quarterfinals. He entered the tournament unseeded.
Stepanek, a 33-year-old righty, was the runner-up at Memphis in 2009. He had defeated 2010 champion Sam Querrey of the United States in another Friday quarterfinal.
Melzer will vie for the title against either fourth-seeded Canadian Milos Ranoic or German Benjamin Becker in Sunday's final. Those two face off in the other semifinal later Saturday.
The 2012 Memphis champ will pocket $277,915.
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