CHENNAI, India (AFP) - World number 27 Marin Cilic of Croatia advanced to the final of the 450,000-dollar ATP Chennai Open with a win over Marcel Granollers of Spain on Saturday.

Cilic won 6-4, 6-3 against the 55th-ranked Granollers to set up Sunday's title clash against Indian wildcard Somdev Devvarman in a match worth 73,000 dollars and 250 points for the winner.

Devvarman, 23, reached his first ATP tour final after his semi-final opponent, Rainer Schuettler of Germany, withdrew with a wrist injury.

World number 33 Schuettler said in a statement released by the organisers that he was not certain of playing in the season's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on January 19.

"During yesterday's doubles match, I started feeling pain in my left wrist which prevented me from hitting double-handed backhand shots," the 32-year-old German veteran said.

"I realised I would only be able to slice and I am also afraid that the injury would get worse.

"I had the same injury a few years ago, but it was not as bad as now.

"I will now fly to Melbourne and see if I can be ready in time for the Australian Open.

"I feel sorry for the crowd and the tournament. It is a very disappointing moment for me", said Schuettler.

Devvarman, playing in only his fifth ATP tour event, had beaten Spanish veteran Carlos Moya and the 25th-ranked Ivo Karlovic of Croatia in earlier rounds.

"I was awesome today in the semi-final," Devvarman joked to reporters.

"But seriously, I have my work cut out in the final because Cilic has been playing some great tennis this week.

"I just need to focus on my game in the final. I did not expect to get so far because I was a wildcard entry, but now that I am there, I will give it my best shot."

The 20-year-old Cilic, a semi-finalist here last year when he lost to eventual champion Mikhail Youzhny, dominated Granollers with a power-packed baseline play.

Cilic wrapped up the first set in 38 minutes after breaking Granollers' serve in the ninth game and then secured two successive breaks in the second set to complete an easy win.

"I played a good game today because I served well and was confident of my returns," the young Croat said.

"It will be a tough final because Somdev has beaten some very good players and he will have the crowd behind him as well."