Bartoli books French final

Bartoli: Late wobble

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Top seed Marion Bartoli eased into the final of the Bali tournament of Champions with a 6-1 6-3 triumph over veteran Kimiko Date Krumm of Japan.

The French player reached her fourth final of the season after overcoming a late rally from her 39-year-old opponent, who returned to the tour this year after an absence of more than a decade.

Bartoli bolted through the first set as her consistency overpowered Date Krumm, who was broken in the first game and sent down far too many unforced errors thereafter.

It was a similar story in the second set as Bartoli stormed into a 5-0 lead and appeared on course to wrap up victory within an hour.

However, Date Krumm suddenly found some form as she broke the Bartoli serve and held for 3-5.

But the world number 12 saved two further break points in the ninth game before closing out the match at the third time of asking.

"Until 6-1 5-1 it was absolutely perfect", said Bartoli, who will bid to add to the titles she won this year in Monterrey and Stanford.

"Then Kimiko started to play really well. She was swinging freely and hitting some really great shots. It wasn't my level going down, it was her playing too good.

"But I knew I just had to win one more game and that's what I did."

The former Wimbledon finalist will take on compatriot Aravane Rezai in an all-French affair on Sunday after the 10th seed overcame Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain 6-2 6-3.

It was an assured performance from the 10th seed, who broke twice in both sets and never faced a break point on her own delivery.

However, she will need to raise her game in the final, where Bartoli will be looking to defeat her for the third time in succession.