BBC SPORT | Tennis | Davenport to meet Maleeva

Second seed Lindsay Davenport is through to her third final of the year after beating South Africa's Amanda Coetzer 6-3 6-4 in the Kremlin Cup semi-finals.

The American will face unseeded Magdalena Maleeva in the final after the Bulgarian beat fourth seed Amelie Mauresmo in the other semi-final.

Maleeva, who beat Venus Williams earlier in the week, beat the Frenchwoman 7-5 6-4.

Davenport, who is playing in only her sixth tournament after missing much of the year with a knee injury, broke three times to win the first set in 35 minutes.

Magdalena Maleeva in action against Amelie Mauresmo
Maleeva has won the tournament twice before

She fell behind 4-2 in the second, but reeled off four games in a row to book a place in Sunday's final on her first visit to Moscow.

But Davenport admitted afterwards that she was not happy with her form this week and was especially concerned about her serve.

"I definitely struggled with my serve," said Davenport, who had no aces and who got only 50% of her first serves in.

"Last year, in all the indoor tournaments I was serving really well and it helped me win and this year it's been a bit more of a struggle so far.

"I haven't felt that in any of the three matches here I played fantastic," she added.

In the other semi-final, Maleeva beat Mauresmo for the first time.

It could be the best week of my career if I can win tomorrow

Magdalena Maleeva

Mauresmo got off to a flying start, breaking the 23-year-old Bulgarian twice to establish a comfortable 3-0 lead.

But Maleeva fought back to 3-3 and then broke again to win the first set in 57 minutes.

In the second set Maleeva, who won the tournament in 1994 and 1995, broke early and had two match points when serving at 5-3.

Mauresmo saved both but was then broken herself as Maleeva secured victory in one hour 48 minutes.

The Bulgarian said she was delighted with her form this week.

"I haven't reached a final since Nice in February 2001... so I feel great making the final here," she said.

"Beating two top 10 players is just great. It could be the best week of my career if I can win tomorrow."


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