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Johannesburg - Frenchman Stephane Robert reached his first ATP final in a 10-year professional career with a shock 7-5, 6-4 win against Spaniard David Ferrer in the South African Open on Saturday.
After battling through three rounds, the 29-year-old eighth seed from Montargis 110km south of Paris was rated a no-hoper against an opponent 82 places above him on the international rankings.
But history repeated itself as world number 18 Ferrer bowed out in the semi-finals of the South African event to an unfancied French rival for the second consecutive time with Jeremy Chardy his tormentor last year.
Robert was hardly recognisable as the player involved in the previous rounds as his suspect service stood up well in muggy conditions while he reeled off a series of superb backhand winners.
He broke service in the opening game and again 10 later to go one set up and overcame some late second-set nerves to complete the greatest victory of a career that has reaped $225 000.
"It is very special to reach a final for the first time after the best victory of my career. This is a great moment for me as I did not expect to succeed today," admitted Robert.
"The pre-game announcement said my greatest strength was the backhand and so it proved. Some of those winners were unbelievable and gave my supporters plenty to cheer."
A Robert double fault cost him the sixth game of the opening set but he broke service again in the 11th by drawing Ferrer in to the net where the Spaniard made one of his 38 unforced errors.
Another service break in the opening game of the second set up Robert who took a little longer to complete his triumph after being outplayed by Ferrer in the eighth game when serving for the match.
The second semi-final is another Franco-Spanish affair with top seed and world number 13 Gael Monfils facing third seed Feliciano Lopez at Montecasino entertainment centre.
