Kristina sets up title clash with Petra

ST PETERSBURG: Defending champion Kristina Mladenovic fought hard to defeat Russia’s Daria Kasatkina and set up a title clash with Petra Kvitova at the St Petersburg Ladies’ Trophy on Saturday.

Kristina, who won 3-6 6-3 6-2, fired four aces and 35 winners but also made 51 unforced errors in a match that lasted two hours and 17 minutes.

Double Wimbledon champion Petra produced a gritty performance to oust fifth-seeded German Julia Goerges 7-5 4-6 6-2 at the Sibur Arena.

Kristina did not enjoy the best of starts, committing 25 unforced errors in the first set to allow 20-year-old Daria to take the early advantage.

However, world number 10 Kristina composed herself and switched gears in the second set to draw level. She sealed three breaks to take control in the decider before clinching the contest on her fourth match point.

“What a match. I want to give credit to Daria, she played amazing, physically especially,” Kristina said.

Petra overcame a mid-match blip but sealed the victory in a little over two hours on the back of 30 winners and 11 aces.

Petra last played in a final in June when she won the title in Birmingham.

“It feels great. I never thought I’d be in the final coming into this tournament... maybe I’m on a good way,” Petra said.