The two players met in the final group game of the tournament, with Wagner taking the first set 6-4, in spite of a spirited performance from the Briton.

Norfolk was unable to launch a comeback though and eventually went down 6-3 in the second set, though it was still enough for him to reach the final and earn the chance to avenge the defeat.

Elsewhere Andy Lapthorne let a 5-3 lead slip in the first set against Israel's Noam Gershony in his final group match.

He was also beaten 7-5, 6-1, meaning he missed out on the chance to add to the doubles title that he and Norfolk claimed yesterday.

Norfolk and Wagner will now meet again in the final on Sunday (January 29), and the Briton said: "I am a little bit lucky to be in the final but I am slowly finding patches of form since my return from injury.

"I need to work harder  to make better contact with the ball and attack a bit more.

"I had a lot of chances today but didn't quite take them.

"Saying that, it's great to be in the final and tomorrow is a different day."

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January 2012: Britain's Andy Lapthorne and Peter Norfolk win at Australian Open
July 2011: Norfolk defeats American rival to claim British Open title
February 2011: Top seeds all secure titles at Australian Open as Norfolk misses out
September 2010: Norfolk loses unbeaten Grand Slam record in New York
September 2010: Norfolk begins defence of US Open title in style