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October 23, 2011

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Cibulkova sets up Kanepi final in Moscow

DOMINIKA Cibulkova continued her chase for a first ever title by advancing to the Kremlin Cup final in Moscow with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Elena Vesnina yesterday.

The eighth-seeded Cibulkova reached her second straight final after losing to Czech Petra Kvitova in Linz, Austria, on Sunday.

The 20th-ranked Slovak, who is winless in three WTA final appearances, will face Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, who rallied past Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3 in the other semifinal.

Cibulkova, who upset Russian top seed Vera Zvonareva on Friday, dominated her 64th-ranked Russian opponent, scoring seven break points and taking it on the first match point when Vesnina smashed into the net.

"I started very well and was playing too fast for her and that's why she (Vesnina) was making mistakes," Cibulkova told reporters.

"When you win the first set 6-0 it's easy to lose your concentration a little bit," the Slovak said. "That's what happened to me at the start of the second set but I managed to wake up soon and finish the match."

Cibulkova added: "I know I've lost all three of my previous finals, including the one last week, but I feel if I continue playing the way I do now sooner or later I'll win one."

Vesnina had advanced to her first semifinal at the home event after Marion Bartoli of France withdrew with a viral illness from their quarterfinal match on Friday.

"A day off hasn't helped me," Vesnina said. "A couple of close games in the first set but I played with no confidence."

 

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