Erakovic to face Safarova in WTA final

Marina Erakovic has put herself in line to win her second WTA Tour singles title after progressing to the final in Quebec City.

The sixth-seeded New Zealander defeated American Christina McHale 6-4 6-3 in their semi-final at the Bell Challenge to set up a showdown with No.3 seed Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic.

“It was very see-saw in the first set,” Erakovic said.

“I managed to take that first set and from there I did really well. I was hitting some really big forehands and moving better and better.”

Erakovic, who is ranked 68th in the world, won her debut singles title earlier this year in Memphis.

Quebec City in 2011 and Memphis in 2012 were the scene of her two other appearances in a final.

Erakovic and Safarova have met once before, at the 2009 Australian Open, with the Czech winning their three-setter 9-7 in the final set.

“She hits really big,” Erakovic said.

“She’s a very good competitor with a very good serve. It’ll be tough. I just have to keep doing what I’ve been doing this week.”

Apart from her tennis, Erakovic has been keeping close tabs on Team New Zealand’s challenge for sailing’s America’s Cup in San Francisco.

“My physio is part of the team – he’s a very good friend of mine – and my whole family’s there too,” she said.

“I’ve met all the guys and I’m very keen that they’re doing well.”

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