Fabio Fognini edged Fernando Verdasco for the first time on clay to reach the Swedish Open final, where he will play Richard Gasquet.
Third-seeded Fognini overcame Spanish fifth seed Verdasco 6-1 4-6 7-5 in a semi-final that lasted two hours and 17 minutes.
"Beating Fernando is really difficult. He is a great champion," Fognini said. "At the end, it is a lottery."
The Italian had lost his previous three matches with the Spaniard on clay.
This time, Fognini prevented Verdasco from reaching a third final in Bastad, after 2013 and 2016.
Frenchman Gasquest eased past lucky loser Henri Laaksonen 6-2 6-3 in their semi-final, denying Swiss his first ATP final.
Fognini and fourth-seeded Gasquet will be chasing their second ATP titles this year.
Fognini won the Brazil Open in March and Gasquet won on grass at s-Hertogenbosch last month for his 15th success from 30 finals.
