American player Michael Chang won a standing ovation from a capacity crowd at the Heineken Open men's tennis tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, after beating Spanish Juan Balcells in the semi-final match Friday.

The former world No.2 player will take on Swedish player Magnus Norman to compete for the title on Saturday.

The match between Chang and Balcells lasted about one and a half hours. Chang won the first set 6-3, but Balcells returned a 6-3. In the decisive third set, the much experienced American player conquered the young Spanish player 6-2.

Norman, who beat Argentina's Gaston Gaudio earlier this day, is the second seed of the tournament. The 23-year-old player is now ranked No. 15 in the world. During the tournament Norman has not conceded a set in his matches.