Safina through to final in Hertogenbosch

 

Originally published on 26/02/10 11:04

Dinara Safina ran out a 6-3 6-2 winner over compatriot Elena Dementieva to reach the Ordina Open final.

The transition from European clay-court season to this grass-court Wimbledon tune-up has done little to slow the Russian, who defeated three top-10 players at Roland Garros before losing the final to Ana Ivanovic.

And despite her dislike for the surface, the 22-year-old finds herself on the verge of her first grass-court title, the perfect preparation for Wimbledon.

Standing in her way is Thai qualifier Tamarine Tanasugarn, who upset Ukrainian No.8 seed Alona Bondarenko in the other semi-final.

This will be the third final in as many events for Safina, who won the Berlin Open just prior to Paris, her first appearance in a Grand Slam final.

Safina will be looking to win her seventh career title on Saturday while the 31-year-old Tanasugarn will be gunning for her second championship trophy and first since winning at Hyderabad in 2003.

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