After overcoming Harold Mayot in straight sets, Andy Murray will face Tommy Paul in the final of the ATP Challenger event in Aix-en-Provence.
Murray, a late wildcard entrant, won his semi-final 7-5 6-1 over 21-year-old Mayot, his fourth successive French opponent.
By doing so, Britain’s three-time Grand Slam champion, 35, ensured a return to the world’s top 50.
The first seed, American Paul, defeated Belgium’s David Goffin 6-4 6-2.
Murray is aiming for his first trophy since Antwerp in 2019 as he prepares for his second French Open appearance in six years, which begins on May 28.
He attended this second-tier competition to gain more clay-court match experience following first-round losses in Monte Carlo and Madrid in April.
Murray failed to convert two break points in a close first set before Mayot handed the Scot the advantage with a double-fault on set point.
Murray had won seven consecutive games before missing two match points at 5-0 up in the second, but eventually won at the fifth attempt.
If he defeats Paul on Sunday, he will have won a Challenger championship for the first time in 18 years and will be back in the top 50 for the first time since January when the rankings are released next week.
It is his second final of the year, having lost in February to Daniil Medvedev in Doha.
