ROME (Reuters) - Australian Samantha Stosur overpowered China's Li Na 7-6 6-0 to reach her first final of the year at the Italian Open in Rome on Friday.
In a fluctuating first set, last year's French Open runner-up broke at the first attempt and opened up a 5-3 lead as her high kicking serve proved too much for Li to handle.
The Chinese player fought back, saving a set-point before breaking back and then missing a set-point of her own in the tie-break before Stosur took it with her latest huge big serve.
Stosur then cruised through the second set as Li, a losing finalist at the Australian Open in January, capitulated against her opponent's powerful ground strokes.
In Sunday's final Stosur will play the winner of the second semi-final between Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova.
"It was a bit disappointing not to hold my serve in the first set and it felt like she had the momentum but I hit some good shots to come through," Stosur told reporters.
"I haven't played a final for about a year now so I'm looking forward to it. For sure Rome's a lead up to the French Open but it's a prestigious tournament in itself."
In a fluctuating first set, last year's French Open runner-up broke at the first attempt and opened up a 5-3 lead as her high kicking serve proved too much for Li to handle.
The Chinese player fought back, saving a set-point before breaking back and then missing a set-point of her own in the tie-break before Stosur took it with her latest huge big serve.
Stosur then cruised through the second set as Li, a losing finalist at the Australian Open in January, capitulated against her opponent's powerful ground strokes.
In Sunday's final Stosur will play the winner of the second semi-final between Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova.
"It was a bit disappointing not to hold my serve in the first set and it felt like she had the momentum but I hit some good shots to come through," Stosur told reporters.
"I haven't played a final for about a year now so I'm looking forward to it. For sure Rome's a lead up to the French Open but it's a prestigious tournament in itself."
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