Pablo Carreno Bustais finally back in a men’s final…

The 28-year-old Spanish professional tennis player produced a clinical display to beat Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4 at the Chengdu Open on Saturday, setting up a final against Alexander Bublik.

Eighth seed Shapovalov fired down 12 aces and won 21 of his 29 first-serve points but Carreno Busta made the most of his limited opportunities, converting a break point in each set to claim victory in just over an hour.

Sunday’s final will be Carreno Busta’s first since 2017 as he snapped a six-match losing streak in ATP Tour semifinals.

“I lost (semi-finals) in Antalya and Hamburg this year. Finally, I can win a semi-final to be in a final,” he said.

“In the first game of the match, I saved two break points and maybe it was the key… He served really good during a lot of the match, but in the two games where I had break points, I broke serve.”

Bublik, who beat Grigor Dimitrovon Friday after saving two match points, overpowered South Africa’s Lloyd Harrisin a 7-6(6) 6-4 in the other semifinal.

Bublik and Carreno Busta have played just once before on the Tour, a 2016 clash in Moscow where the Spaniard prevailed in three sets.

“Alex is a tough player,” said Carreno Busta. “He serves really well with his first and second serves… I need to be very focused, try to win my service games and then wait for the moment and take advantage of my opportunities.”