7 Nov 2010

Ivanovic into final

5:45 am on 7 November 2010

The former world women's tennis number one Ana Ivanovic has reached the final of the Bali Tournament of Champions with a hard-fought, three-set victory over Japanese veteran Kimiko Date Krumm.

The Serbian will try to solidify her 2010 comeback when she faces Russia's Alisa Kleybanova in the final for the title at the last event of the year.

The 2008 French Open champion, who celebrated her 23rd birthday yesterday, says she's pleased to be in her second final in as many months after qualifying for Bali with a trophy in Linz, Austria.

In the other semi-final at the eight-woman event, Kleybanova crushed Daniela Hantuchova, 6-3 6-1, in just 71 minutes, winning 11 of the last 12 games.

The 21-year-old Russian, who won her first two WTA titles this year in Kuala Lumpur and Seoul, will now be looking for a hat-trick of Asian trophies.