Wimbledon Champion Petra Kvitova powered into the final of the $2.4 million WTA Wuhan Open Friday, edging a step closer to a place in the end-of-season championships in Singapore.
The world number three, who could seal her place at next month's WTA Finals if she wins the inaugural tournament, made the final at the expense of Elina Svitolina.
But it was another feisty performance from Svitolina who is ranked 31 places behind her Czech opponent.
Kvitova broke serve in the sixth game to lead 4-2 in the first set, and took the opener 6-4.
The pair traded breaks in the second set and were 5-5 until Kvitova raced through the 11th game to serve for the match.
She appeared to be poised for a straightforward win with the comfort of two match points at 40-15, but Svitolina set up a tense end to the match by clawing herself level and then forcing two double faults from Kvitova which gave her break point.
But any hopes Svitolina harboured were snuffed out when Kvitova took two quick points to win the match.
The Ukrainian enjoyed a fine run in Wuhan, beating Germany's Sabine Lisicki in the second round and world number eight Angelique Kerber in the quarters.
But Kvitova proved to be a step too far for the 20-year-old.
Kvitova will reach the Singapore showpiece if she claims the title on Saturday.
The 24-year-old will meet either world number nine Eugenie Bouchard or world number seven Caroline Wozniacki.
Canadian Bouchard, the sixth seed in Wuhan, will play the eighth-seeded Wozniacki later Friday in the other semi-final.
Source: AFP