Top seed Hubert Hurkacz moved to within one victory of earning his third tour-level title of the season on Saturday as he defeated German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk 6-4, 7-6(4) in the semi-finals at the Moselle Open.
The Pole, who overcame former World No. 1 Andy Murray in the quarter-finals, played patiently and consistently from the baseline and was strong on serve, winning 79 per cent (33/42) of points behind his first delivery to advance after one hour and 37 minutes.
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The 24-year-old now leads Gojowczyk 2-0 in their ATP Head2Head Series. Hurkacz is currently ninth in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin and is aiming to finish the season strongly as he bids to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals, which will be held at the Pala Alpitour in Turin from 14-21 November.
Earlier this season, the top seed triumphed in Delray Beach, before he captured his first ATP Masters 1000 crown in Miami. The Wimbledon semi-finalist will face either second-seeded Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta or 2009 champion Gael Monfils in the final.
Gojowczyk has fond memories in Metz, having lifted his only ATP Tour title at the Moselle Open in 2017. The World No. 101, who advanced to the fourth round at the US Open, also reached the semi-finals in Montpellier in February.