Latvian qualifier Ernests Gulbis upset second-seeded Tommy Haas 6-3 4-6 7-6 (7-2) to reach the final of the Delray Beach International Championships on Saturday.
Gulbis, ranked 109th, moved into his first final since 2011, when he won in Los Angeles.
His other title came in the same Florida tournament in 2010.
Gulbis will play either top-seeded John Isner or Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France in the decider.
Gulbis is the fifth qualifier to reach the Delray Beach finals.
The others were Marinko Matosevic of Australia in 2012, Evgeny Korolev of Uzbekistan in 2009, Kei Nishikori of Japan in 2008, Alex Calatrava of Spain in 2000 and Andrew Ilie of Australia in 1998.
“It is the first outdoor tournament after the indoor season,” Gulbis said. “Qualifiers have one small advantage as they’ve played already three matches while the main draw guys haven’t played a match yet.
“That’s why there’s a lot of upsets here.”
It was another chilly day in South Florida and the wind was swirling at 38 km/h during the first two sets. In the third set, as the wind died down to 22 km/h the quality of the tennis picked up.
“The beginning was tough and it’s not easy to play in those conditions,” Haas said. “When it becomes that windy you’re whole game plan, whole mood changes and you have to play different tennis.
“In the third set the wind was much better.”
Gulbis is known as a talented player who has never found consistency in his game. He’s also known for losing his temper when matches aren’t going his way.
Against Haas, he competed to win in adverse conditions and didn’t lose focus.
“There is no old Ernests,” said Gulbis, who laughingly addressed his better attitude. “Experience. (It’s) when you have lived a quarter of a century.”