Venus Williams beats Yulia Putintseva to reach Taiwan Open final
Saturday 13 February 2016 11:04, UK
Top seed Venus Williams beat Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 7-5 6-3 to reach the final of the Taiwan Open.
The American is back to something close to her best after a dreadful start to the 2016 season, losing in the first round in Auckland and then at the Australian Open.
Williams, who has advanced to Sunday's showpiece without dropping a set, raced into a 4-1 lead in the first set but her opponent won four out of the next five games to level at 5-5.
They stayed level until a double fault and a mis-hit forehand from third-seeded Putintseva gave Williams a break to close out the opening set, and she never looked in danger in the second, cruising through to the final.
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"What a tough opponent today," Williams said. "She has so much energy. It was very difficult to win, but I'm very glad to be in the final tomorrow."
The seven-time major winner will face Japan's Misaki Doi in Sunday's final.
Second seed Doi beat local favorite Hsieh Su-wei 6-0 6-2.
Sunday's final will be the first time Williams and Doi have played each other.
