BEIJING, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Russians Marat Safin and Mikhail Youzhny advanced to the finals of the inaugural China Open on Saturday with straight-set victories.
The fifth-seeded Safin, who played his fourth match in three days, defeated Finland's Jarkko Nieminen 6-2, 6-4, in their semifinal contest.
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The 2000 U.S. Open champion and two-time Australian Open runner-up Safin is 4-1 lifetime against Nieminen, including a second-round victory over the Finn at this year's Aussie Open. Safin has won four straight in the series.
Safin is still seeking his first title of 2004.
Thai star and No. 6 seed, Paradorn Srichaphan, lost in the semifinals to Youzhny, who won 6-4, 6-4.
