The unseeded Italian defeated Younes El Aynaoui of Morocco 6-2 7-6 (1) in the other semifinal.

Ulihrach, 26, who ended the hopes of Spanish third seed Albert Portas in the quarter-finals, has won all four encounters against Gaudenzi -- twice on clay and twice on hardcourt.

The fifth-seeded Czech player starved top-seeded Norman of any chances in the first and third sets, while the Swede served poorly throughout the one hour 45 minute match.

The tall Czech's aggressive top-spin forehand and slicing volleys forced Norman to play a defensive game, much to the disappointment of a noisy, partisan crowd.

"My volley has improved and I also played my other shots well," said Ulihrach, who said he was tired after the previous two rounds. "I think Magnus seemed a bit nervous."

Clay specialist Norman, playing his first tournament since bowing out of the first round of the French Open through injury, has seen his ATP ranking slip to 33rd after finishing 2000 in fourth place.

"He played very well," Norman said. "It was mentally tough to play against him. I was constantly under pressure.

"In the second set I hit my shots with the right length but after five weeks off the tour I didn't have the strength to keep doing that in the third set," Norman said.