Haarhuis enjoys beginner's luck

Dubai: His first-ever visit to Dubai seems to have worked wonders for Dutchman Paul Haarhuis.

"This is my first time here and I am already in the final," beamed Haarhuis after winning 6-4, 6-0 yesterday against Germany's former Wimbledon champion Michael Stich at the Legends Rock Dubai.

"This place is so nice. For a moment it gave me the idea that I must be playing in a late night match at the US Open," Haarhuis smiled.

"I am glad to be in the final and I hope I can go one step and win here. This will make it a truly memorable trip," he added.

Haarhuis, a former doubles winner at the Australian and US Open, hopes his serve holds up in the final today.

"He is due to take on the winner of the second semifinal that was being played later last night between Thomas Muster and Jim Courier.

"If I can serve the way I did today, then I have a good chance for the title," Haarhuis said.