Former world number one Marat Safin moved one win away from a first title in almost four years today when he reached the Kremlin Cup final without hitting a ball.
The Russian was handed a walkover when his 21-year-old German opponent Mischa Zverev withdrew from their semi-final through illness.
On Sunday, seventh-seeded Safin, whose last title came at the 2005 Australian Open, will face compatriot Igor Kunitsyn, who saw off French veteran Fabrice Santoro 6-4 6-3.
Kunitsyn, 26, and currently 71 in the ATP rankings, took the opening set in 52 minutes while, in the second, Kunitsyn, who was playing his first ATP semi-final, broke twice for a commanding 5-2 lead.
The 35-year-old Santoro saved two match points but then Kunitsyn produced enjoyed a third break to record his second win over Santoro in three head-to head meetings.
"I knew that he (Santoro) would battle for every point and was ready for it," Kunitsyn said. "We met twice this year and I knew how to play against him and my plan worked.
"It's great to play at home in the final and tomorrow I will do my best not to miss my chance to win in front of my home crowd."
