Pennetta topples Li to reach Indian Wells final

March 16, 2014 00:00:00

INDIAN WELLS: Italy\'s Flavia Pennetta celebrates victory over China\'s Li Na in their semi-final match of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden here Friday. Pennetta won 7-6, 6-3. — AFP Photo

INDIAN WELLS, Mar 15 (AFP): Flavia Pennetta stunned Li Na in straight sets on Friday, avenging a loss to the Australian Open champion in Melbourne and booking an Indian Wells title clash with Agnieszka Radwanska.

In a match that featured entertaining rallies but also 11 breaks of serve-eight straight in the opening set -- 32-year-old Pennetta prevailed 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to reach the biggest final of her career.

"I think we play really good tennis tonight," Pennetta said. "We fight a lot."

It was a contrast to their clash in the Australian Open quarter-finals, where Li crushed Pennetta 6-2, 6-2 en route to her second Grand Slam title.

"In Australia I didn't have any chance against her," Pennetta said. "Tonight I played much better.

"I mean, I'm surprised also because in the beginning of the week if you ask me, 'What do you think? You going to make a final here?' I would say, 'Mmmm, I don't think so.'"

Pennetta's victims in the $12 million (8.6 million euros) combined WTA and ATP Masters tournament included former US Open champion Samantha Stosur as well as Sloane Stephens, the 16th and 17th seeds.