MORELOS, February 24, 2018

Dennis Novikov from the United States and Christian Garin of Chile will compete in Saturday’s singles final of the $50,00 Morelos Open Crédtio Real held on hard courts in Cuernavaca.

Novikov defeated No. 7 seed Pedja Krstin of Serbia 6-1, 6-4. The 24-year-old US-American was in total control of the encounter, struck 11 aces, winning 81 per cent of his first service points to advance in only 57 minutes.

Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia was forced to withdraw from the semi-final encounter with Christian Garin due to a left ankle injury.

Novikov, who eyes lifting his third ATP Challenger trophy, and Garin will meet for the first time. The 22-year-old Chilean could clinch his second ATP Challenger career title, following his triumph in Lima 2016.