PARIS (AP) — Top-seeded Sara Errani of Italy will play for her seventh career title against Mona Barthel of Germany in the Open GDF Suez final after both players had comfortable semifinal wins on Saturday.
Errani advanced when lucky loser Kiki Bertens retired from their semifinal with back pains when trailing 5-0. By that time, Errani had already broken the Dutchwoman's serve twice and won 10 of 13 first-service points to take total control. Barthel then followed up with a 6-1, 6-4 win against Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic.
The 25-year-old Errani, ranked seventh, reached the French Open final and U.S. Open semifinals last year. Her last title came on clay at Palermo last July — her fourth title of 2012. The 22-year-old Barthel, ranked 45, is aiming for her second career title. She came through the qualifiers to win at Hobart, Australia, in January last year.
Barthel was the more efficient player, saving three break points against Mladenovic in a closely-fought second set and breaking the 19-year-old's serve three times overall. Both players had five aces.
US
International
India
Россия
Română
Singapore
South Africa
México
Indonesia
Brasileira
