Belinda Bencic to play Roberta Vinci in St Petersburg final

ByReuters

Updated 13/02/2016 at 15:40 GMT

Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic will take on Roberta Vinci in the final of WTA St Petersburg after both came through their semi-finals.

Roberta Vinci

Image credit: Reuters

Vinci, the US Open runner-up last year, battled past Serbia's Ana Ivanovic in straight sets, 7-5 6-4.

The second and fourth seeds matched each other shot for shot almost throughout.

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In the end, however, it came down to a few key chances, with Vinci claiming all but one of the opportunities to break Ivanovic's serve.

In the other semi-final, Swiss 18-year-old Bencic beat Darya Kasatkina of Russia 6-4 6-3.

Both players had plenty of chances, but Bencic's defence on the key points was outstanding: she saved nine of the 10 break points against her.

Bencic is now guaranteed to move into the world top 10 on Monday.

At WTA Taiwan, American veteran Venus Williams made the final, beating Yulia Puntinsteva 7-5 6-3.

"What a tough opponent today," Williams said of Putintseva after the match. "She has so much energy.

"It was very difficult to win, but I'm very glad to be in the final tomorrow."

Williams will play Misaki Doi in the final, the Japanese having thrashed local hope Hsieh Su-Wei 6-0 6-2.

Petersburg WTA Trophy semi-finals:

1-Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) beat Darya Kasatkina (Russia) 6-4 6-3

2-Roberta Vinci (Italy) beat 4-Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) 7-5 6-4

ATP Memphis International quarter-finals:

1-Kei Nishikori (Japan) beat Mikhail Kukushkin (Kazakhstan) 6-2 6-4

Ricardas Berankis (Lithuania) beat 3-Donald Young (U.S.) 7-6(3) 6-1

4-Sam Querrey (U.S.) beat Yoshihito Nishioka (Japan) 6-3 6-4

Taylor Fritz (U.S.) beat Benjamin Becker (Germany) 6-4 5-7 7-6(5)

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