Groenefeld books first final berth at China Open

Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany booked the first singles final berth at the China Open of WTA hardcourt tournament, beating Poland's Marta Domachowska 7-5, 6-3 on Saturday in Beijing.

In a hard-fought action, Groenefeld trailed at 2-1, 3-2 in the first set, and then turned the tables to level the score 3-3, 4-4, 5-5. Groenefeld broke Domachowska in the 11th game and ended the set 7-5.

Groenefeld, No. 30 in the world, led the second set until 4-1 when her rival managed to pull another two games back. Groenefeld then broke again to wrap up the match 6-3 upon 5 aces and 15 winners.

"It's a close match. We are very close in the first set, but my rival made a few errors in the second set," Groenefeld said. "I didn't play my best game but I'm positive the whole match and keep trying."

With this victory, 20-year-old Groenefeld improved her win-loss record to 36-21 in 2005 and that of her career to 137-79.

"I'm lucky to be the ninth seed after Davenport's withdrawal but I have won three matches to go to the final."

It was the second time for Groenefeld in her career to advance into the final of a WTA tour after 2005 Pattaya City tourney. She might meet top seed Maria Sharapova of Russia, who will encounter her compatriot Maria Kirilenko in a later semifinal.

"We played a match early this year in Germany. That time I was a little bit intimidated. This time I will be out there and just play my game. I think I will play much better and try to play my best," Groenefeld added.

Domachowska, 19-year-old finalist at 2005 Strasbourg Open, lost her chance to enter a WTA tour final for the third time in her career.

"Actually I have a lot of chances but I lost them, next time I'll take my chances," Domachowska said. "Venus Williams' pullout is not the reason I played worse today."

"I enjoyed myself here except that I lost the match today," she said, "Last year I came here but exited early, and I will come back next year, for sure."

Source: Xinhua