Zabaleta stuns Blake to set up Karlovic final

HOUSTON, Apr 15 (Reuters) Argentine Mariano Zabaleta upset second seeded American James Blake 7-5 7-6 to advance to the final of the US Men's Clay Court Championships against Croatia's Ivo Karlovic.

The world number 156 handled the windy conditions well, edging the ninth-ranked player 9-7 in the second set tiebreak to reach his first final since 2004.

Earlier, the 28-year-old Karlovic advanced to his second final of the season with a 7-6 6-2 victory over Albert Montanes, seizing the momentum after winning the first-set tiebreaker 7-5 against the Spaniard.

Today's final will be the first meeting between the players.

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