American Robby Ginepri rallied from one set down here on Saturday to reach the finals of the 600,000-dollar ATP Indianapolis Championship with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Karol Beck. Unseeded Ginepri, who ousted holder and two-time champion Andy Roddick in the quarter-finals, will face seventh-seeded Taylor Dent in Sunday's all-American championship match. Dent ousted Britain's Greg Rusedski 6-4, 6-4.
Ginepri was playing in his first semi-final since last August in Washington when he lost to eventual champion Lleyton Hewitt of Australia.
The 22-year-old American, seeking his second career title, will be competing in his second career final after beating Juergen Melzer of Austria for a grass crown in Newport two years ago.
"I was pleased with my will to fight today, especially after my great win last night," Ginepri said. "I did the same today as I did against Andy, coming back from a set down. I stayed positive and focused, I couldn't be happier."
Ginepri, with seven aces to 14 for Beck, broke on four of five chances while losing his own serve only once.
"I served better on Friday but I got in a couple of good returns when I broke him in the third set," Ginepri said. "I wasn't thinking about beating Andy. I just focused on one point at a time.
"Good things happen when I stay positive and mentally tough."
Beck arrived in the American Midwest after helping Slovakia into the Davis Cup semi-finals last weekend at home against the Netherlands.
Beck, ranked 45th, was making his second career semi-final appearance in match, which was interrupted for 55 minutes in the first set by rain after the seventh game. When the pair returned after the showers, Ginepri saved a break point for 4-all, then cranked up his serve for a love game, 5-5.
But Beck answered with an ace to close out a 6-5 scoreline, then put the American under pressure as he grabbed a pair of set points. A volley error from Ginepri handed over the early lead.
But the unseeded American responded well, converting on his first break points against the Slovak's serve to obtain the second set after 61 minutes on court.
After taking a 3-2 lead in the third set, Ginepri broke in the seventh game on his way to levelling the contest, now being played in bright sunlight. Ginepri broke in the seventh game and again two games later to end it after Beck saved one match point form a Ginepri error.
(SEMI-FINALS): Robby Ginepri (USA) bt Karol Beck (SVK x10) 5-7, 6-2, 6-3; Taylor Dent (USA x4) bt Greg Rusedski (GBR x7) 6-4, 6-4.