Top seed Caroline Wozniacki will meet Russian Elena Dementieva in the final of the WTA Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
Dane moves a step closer to becoming new world number one
Caroline Wozniacki booked her place in the final of the WTA Pan Pacific Open with a 6-2 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 victory over Victoria Azarenka.
The top-seeded Dane took the first set with ease but was then forced to hold off a determined fightback from her Belarusian opponent.
Azarenka, who struggled on her own serve, sending down 12 double faults, came out on top in a tie-breaker at the end of an error-strewn second set.
She then quickly found herself 5-0 down in the decider - only to come roaring back by winning four games on the spin. However Wozniacki kept her cool to serve out for the match, sealing victory with an ace down the middle.
"After the first set the second was really tight," said Wozniacki. "At 5-0 I felt really good. I thought the match was mine.
"Then Victoria started playing well and all of a sudden the score is 5-4 and I knew I had to close it out with my serve."
Rankings boost
Wozniacki could overtake Serena Williams to become the new world number one if she lifts the trophy in Tokyo and then reaches the last eight or better in the WTA China Open in Beijing next week.
Standing in her way on Saturday will be Elena Dementieva, who saw off French Open winner Francesca Schiavone 6-4 7-5 in the other semi-final.
"Caroline is very motivated as she wants to reach the number one position by the end of the year," said Dementieva, who won the title back in 2006.
"She's a very consistent player and has a very powerful baseline game. I have to be aggressive and really will have to go for the winners.
"There are no mistakes I can expect from her because she is playing at the top level and having a great season."
