Ancic comeback continues, beats Lee to reach China final

BEIJING, Sept 16 (Reuters) Mario Ancic's remarkable comeback from injury continued today when the fourth seed outfought South Korea's Lee Hyung-taik 4-6 6-1 6-1 to reach the final of the China Open.

The 22-year-old Croatian, who was out for two months after injuring his knee on a yacht in June, will meet third seed Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus or Thai Paradorn Srichaphan in tomorrow's final.

Lee knocked out Ancic's top seeded compatriot Ivan Ljubicic in the quarter-finals yesterday and another upset looked on the cards in the semis when he twice broke the world number 12's service to win the first set.

But Ancic, who is chasing his second ATP title of the year and a place in the Masters Cup, got two breaks of his own in the second set and never looked back, wrapping up the match when the 30-year-old eighth seed put a forehand wide.

REUTERS AY PM1523