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BALI, Indonesia -- U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and Germany's Marlene Weingartner rallied to semifinal victories Saturday and will meet for Wismilak International title.
Kuznetsova defeated Russian countrywoman Nadia Petrova 6-7 (1), 6-1, 6-2. Weingartner, unseeded and ranked No. 67, beat Italy's Maria Elena Camerin 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 and will be playing in her first WTA Tour final Sunday.
Kuznetsova, seeded second, was hurt by unforced errors in the first set. But she recovered in the second, breaking Petrova twice to even the match and winning the final set with little resistance.
"After the first set I knew she was tired," Kuznetsova said. "I wasn't in my best shape, but I was playing hard and enjoying it."
Weingartner capitalized on a stream of forehand winners to wear down Camerin, who is ranked No. 61 and had eliminated top-seeded Anastasia Myskina. Camerin exchanged breaks with Weingartner early in the final set but was unable to hold service while down 4-3 after leading 40-0. Her opponent served out to win.
"I really wanted to win this match," Weingartner said. "I just fought a little harder I guess, and got a little more luck."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
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