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| Nicolas Kiefer celebrates after breaking Jeff Morrison's serve in the third set of their semifinal match at the Mercedes-Benz Cup© Stephen Dunn/Getty Images |
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- American Jeff Morrison was unable to prevent an all-German final at the first US Open hardcourt warm-up event.
Nicolas Kiefer rallied to defeat Morrison, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, to set up a meeting with German compatriot Tommy Haas at the $380,000 Mercedes-Benz Cup on Saturday.
Haas won Saturday's first semifinal, 7-5, 7-5 over Cyril Saulnier when the Frenchman double-faulted on match point. It was just Saulnier's second double-fault of the match.
Haas broke Saulnier once in each set, while the Frenchman was 0-for-8 on break opportunities, squandering four in each set.
In the third set of the night match, Kiefer broke Morrison to take a 3-2 lead, but the American wild card immediately broke back. But in the ninth game, Morrison again lost his serve, and Kiefer served out the match.
First prize is $52,000.