Kohlschreiber sets up Youzhny clash

General / Editor / 05 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Philipp Kohlschreiber is through to his first ATP Tour final after a straight sets victory over Marcos Baghdatis in Munich.

The German youngster wasted little time in defeating the Greek Cypriot 6-2 6-3 and he will face Mikhail Youzhny in Sunday's final.

Kohlschreiber took the first set with ease but fell 3-1 behind in the second before reeling off five consecutive games to move into the final after one hour 20 minutes.

Russia's Youzhny made it through to the final with a 6-4 6-3 success over Czech star Tomas Berdych and is the 1.58 favourite to take the title on Sunday with Kohlschreiber on offer at 2.7.

The players are all tuning up for the season's second Grand Slam at Roland Garros and the attention will switch to Rome on May 7 as preparations continue.

Rafael Nadal has been handed a relatively easy passage through the opening rounds of the Rome Masters as he looks for a third consecutive title in the Eternal City.

The Spanish star was given a bye to the second round and will play the winner of the match between American Robby Ginepri and Italian wild card Daniele Bracciali and victory in Italy will mean he will equal the Open Era record of three victories at the tournament.

Nadal will doubtless head the market for the Rome event as he appears almost unbeatable on clay at present, with even the great Roger Federer unable to match his power and speed on the slower surface.