Local favourite Sania Mirza kept alive hopes of a shock home win in the Hyderabad Open with a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win over eighth seed Maria Kirilenko. The Indian showed nerves in the second set of the semi-final, throwing away a 3-0 lead, but eventually won through.
Mirza's final opponent is Ukrainian Alyona Bondarenko, who got a walkover from injured second seed Anna Lena.
"I've no words to describe the feeling of reaching the final - that was the best I've ever played," said Mirza.
MMIX
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Breaking barriers