Cleveland Open: Wildcard Kessler upsets Potapova to reach first WTA final

American wildcard McCartney Kessler upset Russian Anastasia Potapova, the No 5 seed, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the final of the Cleveland Open at Jacobs Pavilion on Friday.

Kessler, ranked No 98 and a former University of Florida standout, will face Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, the top seed, in Saturday’s final. This is the first WTA Tour-level final for the 25-year-old.

Ahead of her win today, the American won against wildcard Katrina Scott (6-1, 4-6, 6-4), Chinese Xinyu Wang, the No 4 seed (3-6, 6-4, 6-2) and Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus (6-4, 6-2). She will also be playing the US Open as a wildcard entrant next week.

Potapova, ranked No 43, won against Frenchwoman Diane Parry (6-3, 6-2), Dane Clara Tauson (6-2, 6-2) and Romanian qualifier Ana Bogdan (6-2, 6-1) in the previous rounds of the tournament.

Cleveland WTA 250, other semi-final result (Jacobs Pavilion, hard, USD 267.082):

• Beatriz Haddad Maia beat Katerina Siniakova 6-3, 2-6, 6-2

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