BUCHAREST, Romania — Top-seeded Sara Errani of Italy ruined Romanian hopes when she beat Monica Niculescu 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the Bucharest Open final on Saturday.
Errani will face seventh-seeded Anna Karolina Schmiedlova on Sunday in their second final of the year. Errani beat the Slovak in straight sets in the Rio de Janeiro final in February.
That was Errani’s eighth career title. Schmiedlova finally broke through for her first in April, at Katowice, Poland.
Schmiedlova beat unseeded Polona Hercog of Slovenia 6-4, 6-3 in 35-degree (95 F) heat.
Errani played an hour longer to overcome Niculescu. Errani had to save 11 of 15 break points to end Niculescu’s run to the semifinals for a second straight year in her adopted hometown.