PATTAYA, Thailand – Maria Kirilenko of Russia defeated Sorona Cirstea of Romania 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 Saturday to reach the Pattaya Open final.
Kirilenko will play for the title Sunday against third-seeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, who beat qualifier Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan 6-4, 6-1. Kirilenko will be going for her sixth career title and first since 2008.
Kirilenko broke serve in the first set to lead 3-2 lead and cruised the rest of the way, clinching the set with an ace.
Cirstea rallied for a 4-2 lead in the second, but Kirilenko adjusted and pulled ahead 5-4. The Romanian evened the match when Kirilenko double-faulted and drove a forehand long. In the third, Kirilenko made the most of a break, holding on to win the deciding set.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.