Second-seeded Cilic defeated defending ATP Umag champion Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine 7-5, 6-2, while Granollers shocked in the 'Spanish' derby top-seeded  Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 6-7 (5) in the semifinals on Saturday.

Cilic was broken twice in the opening set but recovered to beat third seed Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-5 6-2 and gain revenge for his defeat to the Ukrainian in last year's final here.

'Dolgopolov is a really tough opponent, he proved that in the beginning of the first set. But I knew I had to be patient, I knew it would stop,' Cilic said.

Fourth-seeded Granollers started and finished the match well as he claimed a 6-2 6-7 (5/7) 6-1 victory in a hard-fought clash that lasted eight minutes short of three hours. Verdasco, the 2008 Umag champion, earned just two break points in the match, taking both of them, while Granollers fashioned 15 and broke his opponent six times to reach his first final of the season.

Cilic aims to become the first Croat since 1990 to win his home tournament while Granollers seeks his fourth career title. Cilic has a 4-1 record against Granollers, who won their last clash in Valencia last year.

'The final won't be easy but I hope there will be a happy ending for me on Sunday,' Cilic said.