DELRAY BEACH, Fla., March 8 (UPI) -- Jan-Michael Gambill stopped Robert Kendrick's dream run at the International Tennis Championship Saturday, advancing to the final at the hardcourt event for the second time in three years.
The fourth-seeded Gambill, the 2001 champion, battled from a break down in the third set to post a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5) victory over Kendrick, a qualifier.
Mardy Fish made it an all-American championship match when he cruised past third-seeded Marcelo Rios of Chile, 6-3, 6-4, on Saturday night to reach his first career ATP final.
Gambill improved to 12-2 all time in Delray Beach. His only loss in the last three years at this event was a semifinal setback to eventual champion Davide Sanguinetti last season.
"The first set was a breeze," he said. "I got the early break and he was making a lot of errors. I felt tired in the second set. It's hard playing in that sultry and hot Florida sun. He picked up his game in the second set. I really couldn't slow him down until the end of that set."
Kendrick gained a break in the third set but struggled with his serve at 4-2, double-faulting twice to drop the game. He broke again for a 5-4 lead, but the set went to a tiebreak.
Gambill went ahead, 3-1, before Kendrick evened it at 4-4. Kendrick double-faulted at 5-4 and Gambill hit a backhand passing shot past his diving opponent to set up match point, which the Washington native won with his 11th ace.
"I got over there and hit the shot I've been practicing for years," Gambill said. "He had a good approach and went for the right shot and I had a better pass. It was much easier for him to go with that backhand approach."
Kendrick had not won an ATP match before this week but was disappointed to see his run end in the semifinals.
"I'm pretty disappointed right now," the 23-year-old Floridian said. "I had a chance to win and I thought about that out there. This will be with me for a few days. This was a great starting point. I've had a great week."
