Lukas Lacko of Slovakia reached his first ATP final on Saturday when he ousted 2007 champion Marcos Baghdatis 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in the Zagreb Indoors tennis semi-finals in Croatia.

Lacko, playing on the main tour since 2007, will face third-seeded Mikhail Youzhny, who will appear in his 18th career final.

Youzhny defeated Michael Berrer of Germany 6-3 6-4 and will seek his eighth title.

Lacko has beaten three seeded players in Zagreb.

He broke Baghdatis for 6-5 then easily closed the first set. Baghdatis responded aggressively and was two points away from a 5-1 lead in the second, but Lacko recovered to draw even, force a tiebreaker and win it.

“It seems my shape from Australia is still here,” said Lacko, who lost to Rafael Nadal in the third round of the Australian Open.

“I played well in Melbourne and I am satisfied with the level of my game here.

“You always hope you will gain a good result, never thinking that you will lose but, still, this is a great result.”

Youzhny played well at crucial times against Berrer, who was a finalist in Zagreb in 2010 and 2011. After winning the first set, Youzhny broke early in the second, but Berrer broke back. Youzhny broke again at 4-4 and went on to complete his victory.