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By Erik Gudris

Caroline Wozniacki will face Kaia Kanepi in the 2012 Korea Open finals
(September 22, 2012) -- Despite their top seedings at this week's KDB Korea Open, it wasn't a given that either Caroline Wozniacki or Kaia Kanepi would reach the finals, but that will be the case after both women each grinded out three set wins in the semifinals.

Wozniacki, who is seeking her first title of the year, was forced to battle against Russia's Ekaterina Makarova after the Dane easily won the first set and appeared on the verge of victory while up 5-4, 30-0 in the second set. But the Russian stormed back to take the set and pushed Wozniacki deep into a third set before Wozniacki finally closed out a 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 win.

Kanepi, who is just returning to the tour after a four-month layoff due to injury, was also forced to three sets by Varvara Lepchenko who was competing in her first ever WTA semi. Kanepi claimed the first set but found herself overmatched in the second set that Lepchenko took 6-2.

Kanepi regained her momentum as she didn't face a break point in the third set while she was able to break the American just once to claim a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 win to reach her third WTA final of 2012.

Despite having won two titles this year including Brisbane and Estoril, Kanepi's success has also been mixed with disappointment as the Estonian No. 1 has had to deal with multiple injuries this year. An Achilles injury forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon, the Olympics and the U.S. Open, but it appears she is back on track.

My season has definitely had its ups and downs because of my injuries, but last year was the same, and my whole career has been a little bit up and down as well," Kanepi said afterwards. "It's nothing new and I'm used to it.

Wozniacki leads the head to head versus Kanepi 3 to 2 though Kanepi won their last meeting this year at Roland Garros in a contentious match that saw Kanepi hold a 6-1, 5-1 lead, blow it, but then rally to win 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-3.

"I've played her before and I usually try to be patient and not take huge risks, because she can get a lot of balls back in play," Kanepi said. "If my shots are working well tomorrow I will be aggressive, but if they aren't, I'll stay patient."

For Kanepi, a title run in Seoul will mark the perfect ending to her comeback. Wozniacki, who has had a disappointing year after finishing 2011 as No. 1 in the world, will hope this week's results will fuel her to possibly qualifying for the year-end championships in Istanbul. But breaking her WTA title drought could be just as important for her as Wozniacki has won at least one every year since 2008.

(File Photo: Caroline Wozniacki at the Irish Open 2012; Credit: Getty Images)

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KDB Korea Open Logo KDB KOREA OPEN

Seoul, South Korea
September 17-23, 2012
$500,000/International
Hard/Outdoors

Tournament Website: KDB Korea Open | Live Scores | Draws

RESULTS -- SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2012

Singles – Semifinals
(1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (8) Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 61 57 64
(3) Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. (6) Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 64 26 64

Doubles – Semifinals
Amanmuradova/King (UZB/USA) d. Paszek/Zakopalova (AUT/CZE) 67(8) 62 1210

ORDER OF PLAY -- SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2012

Centre Court (from 12.00hrs)
1. Singles Final: Caroline Wozniacki vs. Kaia Kanepi
2. Doubles Final: Kops-Jones/Spears vs. Amanmuradova/King
 
Tournament Website: KDB Korea Open | Live Scores | Draws

 

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