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Errani and Kvitova Face Off for Dubai Title

Sara Errani won an-all Italian semifinal to set up a meeting against Petra Kvitova in tomorrow's Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships finals.

By Erik Gudris

Sara Errani (February 22nd, 2012) -- Sara Errani and Petra Kvitova will face off against each other in the finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with each seeking their first title of the year.

In an all-Italian battle between best friends and doubles partners, it was Errani who gained the upper hand against her compatriot Roberta Vinci in the first semifinal. Serving at a healthy 82% for the match, Errani waited for the right moments throughout the rallies with Vinci and never let go of her control of the match.

Errani clinched a 6-3, 6-3 victory to send herself into her first final of 2012.

The second semifinal featured a battle between a former No. 1 and a woman many still feel can reach the WTA's top ranking. Caroline Wozniacki, a former winner of the event, took on Kvitova who secured an early break of serve in the opening game and never let go of her lead. Kvitova went on to close out the first set 6-3.

Wozniacki battled her way into the second set and forced Kvitova to fight off break points before she held for 2-1. But Wozniacki forced the issue again later in the set and with a backhand winner she finally did break for 3-2.

But Kvitova broke right back to level the set for 3-all and though Wozniacki stayed with the big-hitting Czech, it was Kvitova who stayed solid and soon found herself a game away from the finals.

Serving to stay in the match, Wozniacki fought to hold in an extended game that took several deuces. But a mistimed Kvitova forehand took Wozniacki by surprise forcing the Dane to hit long thus setting up match point.

Wozniacki botched a swinging backhand volley that landed just wide and that error secured a 6-3, 6-4 win for Kvitova.

Kvitova leads the head to head against Errani 3-0 with their last meeting being at the quarterfinals of the Australian Open back in 2012.

(Photo Credit: AP)

 

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