SAN JOSE (California), Feb 18: Defending champion Andy Murray beat top seed Andy Roddick 7-6 6-4 on Saturday to reach the final of the San Jose Open.

In a repeat of last year's semi-final, third seed Murray served 14 aces on the way to victory and now plays Ivo Karlovic in the final after the big-serving Croat beat German Benjamin Becker 7-6 7-5.

Murray broke Roddick in the eighth game of the first set but the American broke back immediately and forced a tiebreak.

Roddick led 6-4 in the tiebreak but the 19-year-old Scot saved a series of set points before clinching the opener 10-8 with a backhand pass that clipped the net.

Murray broke again in the fifth game of the second set and after saving a break point at 4-3, held on to reach his fifth ATP Tour final.

“In the tiebreak, obviously he had a couple of set points but after that I felt in control,” Murray said.

“I returned well, I passed well and got into a lot of his service games and apart from one service game in the first set I think I played a good match.”

The Scot's victory in San Jose last year gave him his first ATP Tour title. Murray said the feeling of reaching the final was slightly different this time around.

Roddick, the 2004 and 2005 champion, was left to rue missed opportunities.

The Croat, who beat James Blake and Mardy Fish on his way to the last four, grew in confidence in the second set and after breaking in the 11th game, he served out for victory.—Reuters