Novak Djokovic will play in his first final since winning Wimbledon in July after beating Russian Roman Safiullin in the Tel Aviv Open semi-finals.
After being unable to enter the United States because of his coronavirus vaccination status, Djokovic has played just one other event since Wimbledon.
The 35-year-old will face Croatian second seed Marin Cilic or France's Constant Lestienne in the final.
Djokovic won his 21st Grand Slam title at Wimbledon but no ranking points were awarded at that tournament or September's Laver Cup, meaning the Serb has dropped to seventh in the world.
In Parma, world number 74 Mayar Sherif, 26, became the first Egyptian woman to win a WTA Tour title as she beat top seed Maria Sakkari 7-5 6-3 in the final.