Gael Monfils extended France’s perfect record of producing Open Sud de France finalists on Saturday, beating Filip Krajinovic 7-6(4), 6-2 to move one victory away from his third title in Montpellier.

The two-time former champion (2010, ’14) saved all three break points he faced to reach his fourth final at the ATP 250 event (2-1) after 82 minutes. Monfils improves to 2-0 in his ATP Head2Head series against Krajinovic, adding to his final-set tie-break victory against the Serbian at the 2015 Miami Open presented by Itau.

“It was a great win today. I was very solid. I think Filip played great in the first set and then I changed my game a little bit to be more aggressive and it worked,” said Monfils. “I was pleased with my performance. So far [it has been] a great week. Hopefully tomorrow is going to be the same.”

In the previous nine editions of the tournament, French players have lifted the trophy on seven occasions. Tomas Berdych (2012) and Alexander Zverev (2017) both defeated French opposition to lift their trophies in the south of France.

Monfils will face Vasek Pospisil of Canada for the title. The 29-year-old recovered from a break down at 4-5 in the final set, winning three consecutive games to overcome second seed David Goffin 6-3, 1-6, 7-5.

Pospisil is through to his second ATP Tour final, more than five years after reaching his maiden tour-level championship match at the 2014 Citi Open. The Canadian levels his ATP Head2Head series against Goffin at 1-1, having fallen to the World No.10 in a final-set tie-break at the 2013 Western & Southern Open.

Monfils enters the final with a 5-0 ATP Head2Head record against Pospisil. The World No. 9 has won each of the 10 sets he has contested against Pospisil, most recently beating the Canadian at the 2018 European Open in Antwerp.