Tennis

Errani to play Barthel in Open GDF Suez final

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.

Related Headlines

  • Mona Barthel

    Barthel upsets Errani to win Open GDF Suez final

    Unseeded Mona Barthel of Germany won her second career title Sunday, upsetting top-seeded Sara Errani of Italy 7-5, 7-6 (4) in the Open GDF Suez final. The seventh-ranked ... 

  • Stosur beats Mladenovic to reach 3rd round

    Ninth-seeded Sam Stosur beat Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic 6-4, 6-3 at the French Open on Thursday to set up a third-round match with former No. 1 Jelena Jankovic. 

  • Hradecka, Cermak win French Open mixed doubles

    Five years after they first teamed up, Frantisek Cermak and Lucie Hradecka won their first title together on Thursday. The French Open mixed doubles. The Czechs beat Daniel ... 

  • Julia Goerges,Sabine Lisicki, Annika Beck, Barbara Ritnner

    Germany beats France 3-1 in Fed Cup

    Julia Goerges beat Pauline Parmentier 6-4, 6-2 on Sunday to give Germany the winning point in a 3-1 victory over France in the Fed Cup. Goerges relied on her booming serve and ...