Youzhny, Cilic into Munich final

Mikhail Youzhny reached his third straight BMW Open final where he will face Marin Cilic after the pair posted semi-final victories over Philipp Petzschner and Marcos Baghdatis respectively.

Youzhny advanced with a 7-5 7-6 (7/5) victory over German Petzschner while Cilic came from a set down to overcome Baghdatis 3-6 6-2 6-3.

Russian Youzhny will hope to win the title in Munich for the first time after twice finishing runner-up at the clay-court tournament.

The second seed, who finished runner-up to Philipp Kohlschreiber in 2007 and again to Tomas Berdych last year, needed one hour and 43 minutes to edge past Petzschner.

Petzschner, ranked 45 in the world, twice led by a break in the first set but Youzhny recovered immediately each time before breaking in the 11th game for a one-set lead.

Neither player broke in the second set and Youzhny secured victory in the subsequent tie-break.

Top seed Cilic needed two and a quarter hours to book his place in the final.

Baghdatis served two more aces than his Croatian opponent with Cilic also producing two double faults, but the world number 11 was more effective in his all-round play.

Baghdatis, ranked 31 in the world, could only take one of nine break-point chances as Cilic eased away to victory.