Monaco advances to ATP Houston final

Argentina's fourth-seeded Juan Monaco outlasted US qualifier Michael Russell 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday to reach the final of the $442,500 ATP US Men's Clay Court Championship. Monaco advanced to Sunday's championship match, his 13th ATP final, against the winner of a later semi-final between US second seed John Isner, ranked 10th in the world, and Spanish third seed Feliciano Lopez. "It's going to be difficult for me," Monaco said. "I will have to be ready with my returns." Isner, a runner-up last month at Indian Wells, and Lopez each seek a first career ATP claycourt title. Monaco, ranked 16th in the world, served to reach a first-set tie-breaker but hometown hero Russell broke him in five points, claiming the set when the South American netted a forehand volley. Monaco dominated the second set and battled in the third. Trying to level the final set in the 10th game, Russell sent a backhand beyond the baseline to hand Monaco a match point, then netted a backhand to surrender the victory. "It was a tough match," Monaco said. "Michael had a great tournament coming from the qualifying. It was a great win and I'm happy to be in the final." Monaco won his fourth career ATP title, and first since 2007, in February at Vina del Mar and reached the semi-finals last month at Miami, losing to the eventual winner, world number one Novak Djokovic. Russell, who earlier ousted US top seed Mardy Fish, was playing in his first career ATP semi-final in 117 tour events. "I'm finally playing well again and I hope to use this week going forward," Russell said.