Indian Wells, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Italian Flavia Pennetta upended top- seeded Li Na in straight sets Friday to reach the title match at the $5.9 million BNP Paribas Open tennis event.
The 32-year-old Li was off to a brilliant 17-1 start this year and seeking a third title in four tournaments, but the Chinese star stumbled to nine double faults on the hardcourts at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Pennetta, the 20th seed this week, took full advantage of Li's mistakes and notched a 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 triumph to secure a spot in her first final of 2014.
Second-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska awaits Pennetta in Sunday's final after the 25-year-old Pole claimed a 6-3, 6-4 win over sixth-seeded Simona Halep, who had won nine of her last 10 matches, including a recent title in Doha.
Radwanska, who also booked her first trip to a final this year, is 4-2 all- time against Pennetta. The Italian did take the last meeting between the two just under a month ago in Dubai, claiming a 6-4, 6-1 win in the round of 16.
Pennetta will be looking to pick up her 10th career WTA title, while Radwanska will be seeking her 14th career crown.
Sunday's champion will enjoy a windfall of $1 million.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.