Clijsters to play Kuznetsova in Warsaw final

WARSAW, May 6 (Reuters) Kim Clijsters reached her second final of the season today when she defeated Russian third seed Elena Dementieva 7-5 6-4 at the Warsaw Cup.

The top seeded Belgian, who was beaten by Amelie Mauresmo in February's Antwerp final, improved her winning record against Dementieva to 10 victories in 13 meetings.

Her opponent in tomorrow's final will be fourth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, who swept aside fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze 6-1 6-1.

Clijsters, who will be bidding for her 31st career title, did not look comfortable but won the points when it really mattered.

Dementieva broke twice to take the first three games, but there was always the suspicion that Clijsters would get back on level terms.

The first break back came at 3-0, and although Clijsters failed to convert any of five break points in the eight-deuce sixth game, a sliced forehand error from Dementieva eventually allowed the Belgian a break for 4-4.

Having fought her way back into the match, a forehand error from Clijsters left Dementieva serving for the set at 5-4, but Clijsters levelled again at 5-5 with a backhand that landed on the sideline.

Clijsters then used her better mental strength, taking the lead at 6-5 and then broke Dementieva to love to claim the set.

Both players had early break opportunities in the second set, with Clijsters fighting off one in the first game with a service winner. Dementieva survived a break point in the next game, holding despite serving four double-faults.

Games then went easily with serve until Clijsters broke for the match when the Russian netted a forehand.

''We've always had very tough matches, but they're fun matches to play,'' said Clijsters, who avenged her recent defeat by Dementieva at a Fed Cup tie in Belgium.

''There's a lot of very tough rallies, so I knew from the start it was going to be very tough out there and I was going to play well at the important points. And that's what I did well today.'' Dementieva was disappointed that she was unable to maintain the early pressure.

''I didn't use my chances in the first set when I had a 3-0 lead,'' the Russian told reporters. ''It was just a couple of points here or there really that made a difference.

''I feel I made too many unforced errors in the first set and in the second she just started to play well and it was difficult for me to play after I was so close to winning the first one.'' Kuznetsova, who reached the final for the third straight year, was never troubled by an opponent just a year younger but vastly less experienced.

Although she had taken Kuznetsova to a third set tiebreak in their only previous meeting, on grass immediately before Wimbledon last year, the 19-year-old was easily overpowered on this occasion.

The match was so one-sided that Kuznetsova appeared to donate as many points through casual errors as her opponent won.

Kuznetsova, who lost the 2004 final to Venus Williams and the 2005 final to Justine Henin-Hardenne, broke to love to lead 3-1, and again for 5-1 when Chakvetadze double-faulted.

Following a break to start the second set, Kuznetsova broke again with a winner into the corner at 3-1 to ensure victory.

REUTERS PG KN2118