Asia-Pacific News
Jie to face Pennetta for Auckland title
Jan 6, 2012, 9:30 GMT
Auckland - China's Jie Zheng will be aiming to level her record against Flavia Pennetta at 3-3 when the pair meet Saturday in the final of the ASB Classic.
Jie upset Russian third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, two-time Grand Slam winner, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the title match while fourth-seeded Italian Pennetta put out German Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-2.
Pennetta, ranked 20th to Jie's 48th, has beaten the Asian player in their last two matches in 2010 and 2011.
Jie was pleased to reach her first WTA final in more than a year and a half after an injury in 2011. 'This match was very important after my wrist injury,' said Jie. 'Reaching this final gives me confidence for the Australian Open.
'But Pennetta is a very good player, she's playing well this week. It will be a tough match.'
Pennetta, aged 29 to Jie's 28, took revenge over Kerber after losing to the German in a US Open quarter-final.
'It was a very emotional match for me, I had a lot of things on my mind,' said the winner, who claimed her last title on clay in 2010. 'I played really well today.'
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Asia-Pacific
- 1. Chinese dissidents hail late democracy activist Fang Lizhi
- 2. China "worried" over planned North Korea rocket launch
- 3. Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets Karen rebels
- 4. Chinese schoolboy sells kidney to buy iPad, iPhone
- 5. Myanmar president invites Karen rebels to form party
Older Talkback
