Romanian pumped for first WTA final

MIHAELA Buzarnescu has dreamt of making a WTA final but thought injuries had ruined her chances.

At the Domain Tennis Centre today, the 29-year-old Romanian will step on to centre court for her first WTA final against Belgian powerhouse Elise Mertens.

Buzarnescu earned the right by pumping Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko in their raininterrupted semi-final last night, winning 6-2, 6-2.

The likeable left-hander said her recipe for victory was simple: “Being positive.”

Asked if she ever thought she would make it to a WTA final, she got right to the point.

“No,” she said. “I was dreaming about it of course but I never expected it because, look, I’m not young. I’m 29. Who would expect to get there at 29? All the young girls, they have such good results.

“I was a good junior. No.4 in the world at juniors, but then injuries came and for me I was always fighting with injuries. It was really tough to come back.

“It was really disappointing. Really depressing. So I was not at all thinking I could do this.

“Only the support of my family and closest friends who believed in me, helped me get here.”

To beat Tsurenko, Buzarnescu used her laser serve and devastating backhand.

“Because of the wind, my game was changing. From one end my forehand was better and from the other end my backhand was better,” she said.

She plans to do more of the same against Mertens.

“I’ve played her twice; lost twice. So I am looking forward to having a good match this time,” she said.