Schnyder beats nerves to book Clijsters clash

STANFORD, July 30 (Reuters) Second seed Patty Schnyder set up a final showdown with world number two Kim Clisters at the Bank of the West Classic after cruising past French teenager Tatiana Golovin 7-6 6-1 in semi-final.

Top seed Clijsters, chasing her second title of the year, outclassed third seed Nicole Vaidisova 7-5 6-2 in the day's first semi yesterday.

After a nervous start, Schnyder recovered from 0-3 in the tie-break to win seven out of the last eight points to take the opening set.

Schnyder then dominated the French 18-year-old in the second set, confusing her with an array of heavy topspin forehands and flat two-handed backhands.

''I felt the nerves coming and she started to play a lot better,'' said the world number eight, who has not won a title in over a year.'' ''I have goals and really care about my tennis. I want to go further and win these kind of matches.'' Earlier, Clijsters exhausted the 17-year-old Czech Vaidisova in long rallies and kept her off balance by varying the speed of her replies.

''When you play younger players, they go out and have nothing to lose but once it gets close, that's when experience can play a role and they can get frustrated,'' said the U S Open champion.

The Belgian got off to a slow start when she was broken to go 2-4 when Vaidisova ripped a backhand winner down the line.

Clijsters broke back and then fought off a set point with a second serve ace down the tee at 4-5 and then found her stride to lead Vaidisova 6-5 when the Czech miscued a forehand.

Clijsters then took the set on her fifth set point when she smoked a service winner.

Vaidisova, who beat Amelie Mauresmo and Venus Williams en route to the French Open semi-finals, then lost her way.

Clijsters won 14 straight points early in the second set and broke her opponent twice before holding to love to win the match when Vaidisova missed an easy forehand.

''My level is getting better with each match,'' said Clijsters, who has won the Bank of the West title three times and has won 11 straight matches at the event.

''That's what you try to aim for. I'm not at my best yet, but I want to improve and when you want to, that's when you will.'' Reuters AY RS1231