WTA China Open: Petra Kvitova and Maria Sharapova reach Beijing final

Petra Kvitova will meet Maria Sharapova in the final of the China Open as the Wimbledon champion chases back-to-back titles.

The Czech world No 3 won the Wuhan Open last Saturday but had to survive a scare against the unseeded Sam Stosur in the Beijing semi-finals, eventually coming through 6-3 5-7 6-2.

The Australian claimed the second set as she broke serve in the final game and the 2011 US Open champion appeared to be capitalising on a lack of rhythm in Kvitova's play after the match was halted because of rain, meaning the court had to be dried and the roof closed.

But the third seed fought back in the third set, saving three break points in the second game before breaking in the fifth and seventh to reach her first final in Beijing.

If she wins, she'll also leapfrog Simona Halep to move to No 2 in the rankings.

"I'm quite tired already. A lot of matches in Wuhan and here," Kvitova said. "I'm looking forward to go to Europe. So I'm glad the final match is the last one here, then I can go."

Sharapova had a much easier passage, the Russian fourth seed beating ninth-seeded Serbian Ana Ivanovic 6-0 6-4.