Intro:

Mikhail Kukushkin beat Leonardo Mayer in straight sets on Friday to advance to the final of the Sydney International.
Viktor Troicki reached the final after he beat Gilles Muller.

Script:

Kazakhstan qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin advanced to the final of the Sydney International after beating fifth seed Leonardo Mayer on Friday.

27-year-old Kukushkin, who knocked out the defending champion Juan Martin Del Potro in the last round, won in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.

The World No.66 will be looking to clinch only his second ATP World Tour trophy with a win in only his third career final.

He won the 2010 St. Petersburg crown and was runner-up in Moscow in 2013

Trying to stop him from lifting the trophy though, will be Viktor Troicki.

The Serbian beat Luxembourg's Gilles Muller in straight sets to book his place in the final.

Troicki, the 2011 runner-up, hit 13 aces to Mullers' nine in a 6-2, 6-4 win over 64 minutes.

Kukushkin and Troicki will contest the first ATP World Tour final between two qualifiers at the Apia International Sydney on Saturday.