Rusedski battles past Haas

Britain's Greg Rusedski advanced to the final of the RCA Championship in Indianapolis after a hard-fought three-set victory over Tommy Haas.

Photo Gallery: See this match in pictures

He will now face unseeded Spaniard Felix Mantilla, who beat Germany's Rainer Schuettler 6-4 1-6 6-4 in the other semi-final.

Rusedski made a poor start, losing seven of the first eight points and dropping his serve in the second game.

I focused on holding serve and taking chances when they arose

Greg Rusedski

Third seed Haas was virtually unstoppable in the first set, conceding just three points on his serve to take it 6-3.

But the German's serve faltered in the second set to give Rusedski a break for 5-3 and he duly served out for the set.

He broke early in the third set and was then able to close out the match by breaking again in the final game, winning on his fourth match point.

"I focused on holding serve and taking chances when they arose," said Rusedski.

"The break at 4-3 in the second set was the key to the match.

In all the critical moments I'm playing well

Felix Mantilla

"I'm pleased with my game. I'm serving well, but I think I've been doing that since the grass-court season."

Haas said an injury that has been bothering him for several months hampered him.

"I started to feel arm and elbow tiring a little bit," said the 24-year-old.

"I started losing my timing, my arm didn't give me the strength I needed. I'm doing a lot for it every day and it's not getting better."

Schuettler appeared to be in control after winning the second set 6-1 to level the match.

But Mantilla recovered by putting 85 percent of his first serves in play in the final set.

The Spaniard also saved nine of 13 break points, including five in the second game of the first set.

"In all the critical moments, I'm playing well," said Mantilla. "That means all the confidence is back."

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RCA Championship semi-final results

Greg Rusedski (GB, 13) bt Tommy Haas (Ger, 3) 3-6 6-3 6-3
Felix Mantilla (Spa) beat Rainer Schuettler (Ger, 9) 6-4 1-6 6-4