Kiki Bertens and Donna Vekic both recorded straight-sets wins to reach the final of the St Petersburg Ladies’ Trophy.
Second seed Bertens was too good for Aryna Sabalenka, triumphing 7-6 (5) 6-2 in an hour and 38 minutes.
Kvitova Delighted With Final Chance
The Dutchwoman headed to Russia after a disappointing second-round exit at the Australian Open and, despite the scoreline on Saturday, said she was pushed hard by her opponent.
Bertens said in her post-match interview: “It was a really tough match. She’s a great player for sure. “She is hitting the ball really hard, so I really had to stay aggressive where I could and where I could just try to get the ball back.”
Eighth seed Vekic, who beat defending champion Petra Kvitova in the last eight, eased past home favourite Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-2 6-2.
The pair have met four times in the past, with the Croatian heading into Sunday’s final at the Sibur Arena holding a 3-1 advantage in the pair’s career head-to-head record.
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