By Alberto Amalfi | Saturday, July 18, 2015

Rajeev Ram was born in Denver, but looks right at home in Newport.

Ram relied on his signature serve and some timely backhand passing shots topping Australian John-Patrick Smith, 6-4, 7-6 (4), to advance to the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships final today.

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The 31-year-old American, who swept Newport singles and doubles titles in 2009, said the historic Hall of Fame court grass suits his serve-and-volley style well.

"It was tough today. The wind was really swirly," Ram told Tennis Channel afterward. "I had a lot of trouble with my serve at the start, but I did everything else well. I love this tournament, I love this town; the court really suits my game.”

Ram will face No. 2 seeded Ivo Karlovic in tomorrow's final. Karlovic hit 14 aces in a 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory over fourth-seeded Jack Sock in today's second semifinal.

Ram broke at love in the third game, won 12 of 14 points on his first serve and saved the only break point he faced taking the opening set.

The pair traded breaks to start the second set. Ram hit a couple of key passes in the tie break to seal the win.

“I tried to slow things down. I started feeling rushed and that’s never a good thing for me usually,” Ram said. “J.P. did a really good job rushing the net and forcing me to pass him. Fortunately I was pretty locked in today.”

Ram defeated Sam Querrey to win the 2009 Newport title.