Intro:

Juan Monaco beat Michael Russel 6-7 6-1 6-4 in their semi-final match at the US Men's Clay Court Championship at River Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas on Saturday.

He will face either John Isner or Feliciano Lopez in the final.

Script:

Semi final day at the US Men's Clay Court Championship at River Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas on Saturday and the partisan home crowd were eager for an upset.

Local qualifier Michael Russell took on number four seed and wild card entry Juan Monaco for a place in the final.

He came in ranked 136th in the world, but he managed to take the first set 7-5.

However the Argentine came back strong in the second and had soon levelled the score at a set apiece with a comfortable 6-1 win.

Then 5-4 in the deciding set with Russell fighting to stay in the match.

But he missed a crucial backhand return.

Monaco will play either John Isner or Feliciano Lopez in the final.