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Melzer makes Austrian final

Sixth seed victorious in three sets to set up match against Argentinean

Last updated: 19th July 2008

Melzer: Reached final

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Jurgen Melzer was pleased with his attacking tactics after defeating Potito Starace in three sets on Saturday to reach the Austrian Open final.

The sixth seed played serve-and-volley to put pressure on Starace's baseline game and eventually overcame last year's runner-up 6-4 6-7 6-3.

He will now face seventh seed Juan Martin del Potro in the final after the Argentinean beat Victor Hanescu 6-3 7-6.

Worked out

Welcoming his victory, he said: "I decided to play an attacking game and that worked out very well.

"It was hard for him (Starace) to keep the ball in play."

The Kitzbuhel tournament is not included in the ATP calendar next year and Melzer hopes he can leave his mark in the history books.

Last winner

"It would be really great for me to become the last winner of Kitzbuhel," said Melzer, who won his previous ATP Tour title in Bucharest, Romania, in 2006.

After taking the first set, Melzer served for the match at 5-4 in the second but got broken and Starace saved a match point before winning the tiebreaker.

The fourth seed then went a break up in the third set but Melzer managed two breaks to complete his victory.