Defending champion Milos Raonic advanced to the San Jose tennis final on Saturday by beating American Ryan Harrison 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 in California.

Raonic will play Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin or Frenchman Julien Benneteau in the final.

The Canadian piled up 20 aces behind a powerful serve that reached 242kph in the comfortable conditions of the indoor arena.

Raonic relied on his serve to force a first-set tiebreaker and cruise past the 19-year-old Harrison after breaking for 3-1 in the second set.

Harrison is still searching for his first ATP Tour final. He has lost three times in the semi-finals on tour.