Frenchman Marc Gicquel saved two matchpoints to reach the Lyon tournament final for the second year in succession when he beat Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla 4-6 6-2 7-6 on Saturday.
Gicquel, bidding for his first ATP title, will take on Sebastien Grosjean in Sunday's all-French final after the former French number one thrashed compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1 6-2.
‘I am delighted. I always play spectacular matches here,’ said Gicquel, who last year lost to compatriot Richard Gasquet. ‘Having another all-French final is great for this tournament.’
Gicquel got off to a sluggish start, dropping his serve in the seventh game to let Falla, the world number 128, clinch the opening set.
However, the 30-year-old Frenchman broke twice in the second to level the tie and both players held serve in the decider.
Gicquel saved a first matchpoint with a stunning cross-court passing shot and got back into the match when Falla, who knocked out fifth-seeded Ivan Ljubicic on Friday, netted an easy forehand.
The Frenchman eventually clinched the tiebreak 9-7 to win the match after two hours and four minutes.
In Saturday's other semi-final, Grosjean simply had too much experience for Tsonga, who was trying to reach his first ATP final and bowed out after 53 minutes.
‘I knew he would be tense,’ said Grosjean, who is playing doubles with Tsonga here.
