Eurosport - Sun, 19 Apr 08:19:00 2009
Spanish pair Felix Mantilla and Albert Costa will contest the final of the first ATP Champions event of the year in Barcelona.
Both players won their final round robin matches to top their respective groups.
Mantilla continued his excellent Champions Tour debut with a 6-3 6-3 win over 1991 Wimbledon champion Michael Stich.
Costa booked his place with a thrilling 6-3 4-6 10-6 (champions' tie-break) victory over Dutchman Richard Krajicek.
Mantilla always looked in control against Stich, whose serve-and-volley game misfired as the German struggled to get to grips with the depth and top spin of Mantilla's shots.
"I'm so happy to be on court again and I'm glad I won today," Mantilla, who won the ATP Barcelona title in 1999, said.
"I think I have extra motivation because I am playing at home with the crowd on my side and that's always nice. The final against Costa will bring back some nice memories of our matches on Tour. I think it will be special and we will both have fun."
Costa, the 2002 French Open champion, will be looking to win his first Champions Tour title.
"I know Felix is in very good shape so it's going to be so difficult. We know each other a lot and it's going to be like old times," he commented.
Sunday's play-off match for third place will be contested by Swedes Magnus Gustafsson and Anders Jarryd.
Gustafsson beat Cedric Pioline 6-4 4-6 10-8 while Jarryd overcame Pat Cash 6-2 6-1.
Comment 1 - 3 of 3
where's Borg?
Hope Albert Costa wins.
I think the winner will be Spanish!! Hihihihihihihihihihi; D
Love Jess xx
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