Kuznetsova cruises past qualifier into final in Tokyo

TOKYO -- Svetlana Kuznetsova overpowered qualifier Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia in straight sets Saturday to ensure an all-Russian final at the WTA Pan Pacific Open.

Fifth-seeded Kuznetsova defeated Srebotnik 7-6 (5), 6-2 and will face the winner of Saturday's other semifinal between Russians Dinara Safina and Nadia Petrova.

After a closely contested first set, Kuznetsova took control in the second set, breaking Srebotnik three times.

Kuznetsova broke Srebotnik with a backhand down the line in the seventh game to go ahead 5-2.

She held a 40-love lead in the final game but Srebotnik fought back to deuce, but Kuznetsova won it with a serve on her fourth match point.

Kuznetsova beat top-seeded Jelena Jankovic to reach Saturday's semifinal. Srebotnik upset Olympic gold medalist and third-seeded Elena Dementieva.

Kuznetsova, who won the U.S. Open in 2004, will be bidding for her first title of 2008. Her last Tier I singles title was in 2006 in Miami.