Medina Garrigues Aims For 10th WTA Title

© JLSAnabel Medina Garrigues will appear in her 16th WTA final.

Anabel Medina Garrigues will look to win her ninth WTA clay-court title in the Estoril Open final on Saturday.

Should the Spaniard lift the WTA International tournament title, she would tie Venus Williams with nine clay-court titles (the among active WTA players).

Medina Garrigues reached her 16th WTA final with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Monica Niculescu of Romania in the semi-finals on Friday.

"I am really happy to be in this final," said Medina Garrigues. "I did not have past year, losing a lot in first rounds, so being in the final makes me very happy.

"All my coach told me was to play tennis and think about hitting the ball. Don't think about the result. I'm 28 years old, I have reached finals, so I just want to enjoy the final years of my career.

"Monica is a player that makes you uncomfortable on court. You have to focus as she gives you a variety of shots. So lots of running. The results looks easier than it was."

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The 28 year old dropped nine point on serve in the 30-minute first set and broke Niculescu's serve in the second and sixth games.

Niculescu saved four break points in a 16-point opening game to the second set and went onto break Medina Garrigues to love for a 2-0 lead.

World No. 61 Medina Garrigues responded winning four straight games, which included a run of 16 of 17 points. She broke Niculescu to 15 for a fifth and final to seal victory in 90 minutes on Central court.

Medina Garrigues, who has a 13-9 match record on the season, will meet Kristina Barrois of Germany in the title match. She is looking for her 10th WTA title.

World No. 59 Niculescu is projected to reach the Top 50 in the WTA Rankings on Monday. She falls to 11-9 on the year.