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Barrois Keeps Her Nerve To Reach Final

Estoril, Portugal

Barrois© JLSKristina Barrois has reached her second WTA final.

German Kristina Barrois advanced to her second WTA final on Friday at the Estoril Open.

The 29-year-old German defeated Johanna Larsson of Sweden 7-6(2), 6-4 in one hour and 50 minutes.

"I am playing well and I am confident," said Barrois, who considers her slice backhand her best shot. "I hope to break into the Top 50 within the next month. That was one of my goals for this year."

Larsson squandered control of the first set, leading 2-0 and 4-2 only to see Barrois win 12 of 15 points for three straight games. Although Larsson broke Barrois to 30 at 5-4, her higher-ranked opponent seized control of the tie-break.

Service breaks were exchanged at the start of the second set, but Barrois won four of the next five games for a 5-2 lead. World No. 71 Barrois missed out on two match point opportunities on the Larsson serve at 2-5, 15/40 and was then broken to 30.

Larsson, serving at 4-5, took a 40/0 lead, but was pinned back. Both players were afflicted by nerves at this point. One further match point opportunity went begging, but Barrois finally sealed victory with a smash.

Barrois will play her first WTA final since May 2010 at Strasbourg (l. to Sharapova). She has a 13-10 match record on the season.

Larsson was appearing in her third WTA semi-final (or better), including 2010 Portoroz (l. to Chakvetadze in the final) and the Acapulco semi-finals (l. to Parra Santonja).

The 22 year old is protected to climb into the Top 70 of the WTA Rankings on Monday.

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