A well rested Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has reached his first ATP final since October 2009 by beating Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic 6-4 7-6 in the semi-finals of the World Indoor Tournament on Saturday.
The French, who had more time to prepare the quarter-final after opponent Tomas Berdych retired due to illness on Friday, has the unique opportunity to break in the fifth game on his way to take the first set.
Ljubicic defeated two-time finalist in Rotterdam, has improved his game back in the second and got an early break, but gave Croatia the lead again when serving for the set, and Tsonga won the match in the tie-break.
"The big difference today was to serve his (Ljubicic) is not needed, as is usually done, and also my extra day to rest, while Ivan has had three sets of interests," Tsonga told reporters.
"It 'was my first victory in an important match for a long time and that gives me confidence."
Tsonga will face either top seed and holder Robin Soderling or Victor Troicki in Sunday's final.
