Petrova to Meet Peer for Title in Maryland

By Matt Hursh                                  Photo Credit: Son Troung

The top two seeds, Shahar Peer and Nadia Petrova, will meet in the finals of the Citi Open in College Park, Maryland.

The top seeded Peer rallied for a 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 victory over young Austrian Tamira Paszek earlier in the day. In the late match, Petrova, the second seed, followed suit, turning the tables after a difficult first set to oust Irina Falconi 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.

After a first set in which she won just six of her 16 (38 percent) service points, the Russian gathered herself to take the second set, allowing her American opponent just 15 total points in the set.

The decisive third set was hard fought, but Petrova separated herself by creating seven break point chances and completing breaks of serve in three of five return games.

Despite her losing effort on Saturday, Falconi will likely find herself in the top 100 when the rankings are updated next week.

Peer and Petrova have met five times in their career, and the Russian has topped the Israeli in all five contests, dropping just one set in the process.

Petrova will be playing for her tenth career WTA title while Peer will be seeking her sixth. Both are accomplished players formerly ranked within the top 11 who are seeking important ranking points and momentum early in the US Open Series.

The finals in Maryland will take place on Sunday.