Top seed Nikolay Davydenko will have the chance to avenge last year's Poertschach International defeat at the hands of Juan Monaco when the two players meet to contest the tournament final on Saturday.

The Russian world number four celebrated back-to-back titles at the Austrian claycourt event in 2005 and 2006 before losing in last year's quarter-finals to eventual champion Monaco.

After being forced to play two matches on Thursday because of heavy rain earlier in the week, Davydenko made light work of his Friday semi-final, beating compatriot Igor Kunitsyn 6-3, 6-2.

Monaco, seeded second in Poertschach, booked his place in the final with a 6-4, 6-7, 7-6 win over third seed Ivan Ljubicic.

The Argentine world number 14, who also played twice on Thursday, was forced to save three match points before finally preventing what would have been Ljubicic's first ATP final on clay.

"I don't remember the last time that I won a match having been match point down," Monaco said.

"The thing that was very good for me was that I never gave up. In my mind I always think that I can win the match. And after also playing two matches yesterday, I think it's the best preparation for (next week's French Open in) Paris."

Davydenko and Monaco go into Saturday's final tied at 1-1 from their previous meetings, Davydenko beating Monaco at the Sopot clay court tournament in 2006 before the Argentine struck back in Poertschach 12 months ago.

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