BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Roberta Vinci of Italy advanced to her third straight Barcelona Open final Friday, outlasting Laura Pous-Tio 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4) to gain a title matchup against Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic.
The sixth-seeded Vinci overcame a shaky serve to save seven break points and break her Spanish opponent six times. Pous-Tio had already played more than two sets earlier in the day to beat Polona Hercog 6-7 (7), 6-1, 7-5 after their quarterfinal match was suspended Thursday in the first set because of rain.
Hradecka upset fifth-seeded Sara Errani of Italy 6-1, 7-5 in the other semifinal. Hradecka had 10 aces in ousting the highest-seeded player left in the tournament.
Vinci won the clay-court event in 2009 and was runner-up last year.
