Estoril Open 2004 News and Events

Emilie Loit
© João Lagos Sports

Emilie Loit moved through to her second consecutive final with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Spain's Marta Marrero in the semifinals of the Estoril Open.

The 24-year-old from France, who captured her first WTA Tour title last week in Casablanca, extended her winning streak to nine matches and maintained her 100 percent record against the Spaniard having won all four matches.

Loit will now meet rising Czech star Iveta Benesova, the No. 6 seed who prevented an all French final with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Stephanie Cohen-Aloro. Benesova, the 21-year-old from Most, defeated Loit in the quarterfinals in Acapulco in March before going on to capture her first title after qualifying for the tournament.

And Loit knows she will be in for a tough match on Sunday. "She's a really good player," said Loit. "I lost to her in Acapulco, so for sure it will be a very tight match. The key for tomorrow will be our physical condition. I have to be more aggressive with my forehand if I intend to win that match."

Loit, who has a 19-9 record so far this year, admitted she was feeling a little tired after her exertions over the last two weeks, but was pleased to have made it through against Marrero.

"Physically I'm not so well, but in both sets I was able to lead 5-2," said Loit. "Then I let her recover to 5-4, but still I was able to close them with no problems. I have some in my left quadricep, but it's really no big thing."

Benesova, who has won 31 of her 39 matches this year, having also picked up the ITF title in Italy as a qualifier, said she was delighted to be in another final.

"This has been the best year of my career so far," said the Czech. "It's still early in the season but it's great to be in the final. Emilie will be tough tomorrow. I don't like to play against her kind of game, but I beat her the last time we met so we will see how it goes."