SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 6 (UPI) -- German Nicolas Kiefer defeated Romanian Victor Hanescu, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, Saturday in the semifinals at the Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic.
Kiefer will play his second final in three weeks against the survivor of Saturday night's All-American matchup between top seed Andy Roddick and No. 4 Vince Spadea.
Kiefer will be eyeing his seventh ATP career title, and first since hoisting the crown at Hong Kong in 2000 before a string of injuries hampered his success.
Kiefer started the year with an 0-4 record but has won eight of his last nine matches. He was runner-up at Memphis two weeks ago.
Hanescu was making his first ATP career semifinal after upsetting second seed Martin Verkerk of the Netherlands on Friday. But the 22-year-old Romanian served poorly.
