Andujar’s victory over the Argentine followed a 7-6 (3), 6-2 semifinals win for Mayer over Italy’s Filippo Volandri.

Fourth-seeded Andujar seemed determined to exact revenge on Chela, who beat him in last year’s final. By playing more aggressively and coming to the net more often, the Spaniard was able to make a spectacular comeback in the first set after trailing 4-1.

Chela broke to take a 3-2 lead in the second set and the match looked destined for a third, with the Argentine serving at 5-4. But Andujar broke Chela’s service to level for 5-5, held serve to lead 6-5 and sealed his place in the final on his third match point.

In the other semifinal, Volandri broke Mayer’s service to take a 5-3 lead in the first set, but the German immediately hit back with a break of his own before serving out for 5-5. In the tiebreaker, Mayer took a 5-1 lead, helped by two aces and a double fault by Volandri, before wrapping up the set with another ace.

The Italian made a determined start to the second set, breaking serve to lead 1-0. But Mayer rallied again, before accelerating away for a comfortable victory and a place in the final.