American Ram advances to final at Newport

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) American Rajeev Ram defeated Australian John-Patrick Smith 6-4, 7-6 (4) on Saturday to reach the final at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships.

The 31-year-old Ram won the title on Newport's grass courts in 2009.

The 161st-ranked Ram defeated top-seeded John Isner in his opening-round match. He also knocked off fifth-seeded Adrian Mannarino of France in the quarterfinals Thursday.

On Sunday, Ram will face the winner of the other semifinal between second-seeded Ivo Karlovic of Croatia and No. 4-seeded American Jack Sock.

The match was played after induction ceremonies for the 2015 class of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo headed the class but was unable to attend because she is expecting her first child in early August.