Donald Young rode timely serving into the Newport semifinals.
In an all-American clash of practice partners, Young lashed eight aces stopping top-seeded Steve Johnson, 6-2, 6-3, to advance to the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships final four.
More: Azarenka Announces Pregnancy
Young has dropped just 13 games reaching his first career ATP semifinal on grass.
It is Young's first tour-level semifinal since he was runner-up to Ivo Karlovic in Delray Beach in February of 2015.
Johnson, who won his first ATP title on the grass of Nottingham last month, served just 46 percent. Young denied all five break points he faced.
“Steve and I know each other well, we train together in the off-season, so there are no mysteries there. I tried to dictate with my serve and forehand,” Young told ATP World Tour.com. “It’s been a light, fun week. I’m very happy. Most importantly I feel like I am serving and returning well, starting the points off on the right foot. I saw him adjusting his toss due to the sun. He has a great serve so that worked in my favor a bit.”
World No. 61 Young will play Gilles Muller in an all-lefty match for a spot in Sunday's final.
The third-seeded Muller smacked 16 aces denying sixth-seeded Adrian Mannarino, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, in 89 minutes.
The second-seeded Karlovic also cracked 16 aces dismissing Marco Chiudinelli, 6-3, 6-4, in 61 minutes.
The 37-year-old Karlovic has won two of his six career titles on grass, ruling Nottingham in 2007-2008.
Playing for his third straight Newport final appearance, Karlovic will meet Marcos Baghdatis in the semifinals.
The oldest man in the field fell to Lleyton Hewitt in the 2014 final and succumbed to Rajeev Ram in the 2015 title match.
The fourth-seeded Baghdatis has won three of four meetings with Karlovic; this will be their first grass-court encounter.
Photo credit: International Tennis Hall of Fame