[ad_1]
Ramanathan, ranked 161st in the world, defeated American Tim Smyczek 6-4, 7-5 in a semi-finalists battle for the first time on the Newport, Rhode Island lawn.
American Johnson, looking for a fourth career title and a second in 2018 after his win over clay in Houston, defeated Marcel Granollers 6-7 3 and 6-3.
Johnson, 48th, did not experience a break in his 69-minute victory over Granollers, a former top-20 player who was playing in his first ATP semifinal since 2015 and in his first main round. to draw from Barcelona in April.
Johnson broke Granollers in the final game, sealing the win on his second match point when the Spaniard shot a long shot.
"Just happy to have another win," Johnson said. "(I) would have liked to take advantage of a few more points at the end of the first set and second, but I was happy with my service and pleased to have done so in this last game.
Johnson will be a major favorite in Sunday's final, which was moved until 11 am (1500 GMT) due to inclement weather forecasts for the region.
But Ramanathan, the first Indian player to reach an ATP final since Somdev Devvarman lost to Kevin Anderson in the 2011 championship game in Johannesburg, may perhaps be delighted by past Indian successes in Newport.
The tilt of the 23-year-old title comes 20 years after the grand double – and Ramanathan's childhood hero – Leander Paes claimed the only title of his career in Newport – the most recent singles title for any Indian. tower.
And Vijay Amritraj of India raised the trophy at Newport in 1976, 1980, and 1984.
Source link
