Kitzbuhel, Austria (SportsNetwork.com) - Rising Austrian star Dominic Thiem and Belgian wild card David Goffin will face-off in Saturday's final at the Kitzbuhel Cup tennis event.
The fifth-seeded world No. 50 Thiem saw double duty on Friday, as he opened his day by ousting second-seeded and defending champion Marcel Granollers of Spain 6-4, 7-5 in the quarterfinals, then whipped last year's Kitzbuhel and last week's Gstaad runner-up Juan Monaco 6-3, 6-1 in the semis to secure a berth in his maiden ATP final.
The sub-six-foot Goffin, meanwhile, came from behind to beat Argentine qualifier Maximo Gonzalez 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in the other semifinal to also reach his first career ATP final.
One other quarterfinal affair on Friday saw the 2007 Kitzbuhel champion Monaco upend fourth-seeded 2010 titlist Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on the red clay at Kitzbuhel Tennis Stadium.
The 20-year-old Thiem is the youngest player in the Top 50, while the 23-year- old Goffin is ranked 78th in the world.
The capable Goffin beat Thiem in straight sets at London's Queen's Club in June.
Saturday's winner will claim $104,000.
