ATP: Raonic first finalist after victory over Pouille in Stuttgart

The former third in the world rankings, Milos Raonic, has reached his first final this year at the ATP tournament in Stuttgart. The 27-year-old Canadian, starting for the first time at Weissenhof, defeated defending champion Lucas Pouille from France 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) in the semi-finals.

In the final, the 2016 Wimbledon finalist, who has not lost a set or service game in the tournament so far, will face record Grand Slam winner Roger Federer (Switzerland) or fourth seeded Australian Nick Kyrgios.

Pouille, who has been looked after by former German professional Tommy Haas since the beginning of the year, had won the tournament in Stuttgart last season after a final victory against Feliciano Lopez from Spain. Raonic had also slipped down to 35th place in the world rankings due to several injury problems.

36-year-old Federer would once again replace French Open winner Rafael Nadal (Spain) from the top of the world rankings with his first final at Weissenhof. The Australian Open Champion was already twice this year the leader of the world rankings.