Cilic sets final date with Devvarman in Chennai

Third-seeded Croatian Marin Cilic strolled into the final of the Chennai Open on Saturday after demolishing Spaniard Marcel Granollers 6-4, 6-3.

World number 27 Cilic dismantled his eighth-seeded opponent in 72 minutes after finding early rhythm.

• Somdev gets walkover, in Chennai Open final

The 20-year-old Cilic will meet Somdev Devvarman in the final on Sunday after the Indian wildcard was handed a walkover in the semi-final by Rainer Schuettler.

The fifth-seeded German withdrew due to a left wrist injury he sustained during a doubles match on Friday and said he was also pulling out of next week's event in Sydney in the hope of recovering in time for the Australian Open later this month.

• Pics: Somdev reaches Chennai Open semis

It will be the first ATP Tour final for the 23-year-old Devvarman, who toppled world number 25 Ivo Karlovic and former world number one Carlos Moya in the previous two rounds.

A semi-finalist here last year, the big-serving Cilic broke the Spaniard in the ninth game to clinch the opening set.

• I'm a counter-puncher: Somdev

Cilic, who reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and Wimbledon last year, turned on the heat early in the second set, breaking his opponent in the third and fifth games to take a 5-1 lead.

The Spaniard won the next two games before Cilic wrapped up the match with a dominant finish as he broke his opponent in the ninth game.