Kudermetova beats compatriot Pavlyuchenkova in epic to reach the Tokyo final

Veronika Kudermetova beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-6 (6), 6-7 (2), 6-3 to move into the final of the Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis Tournament.

It was a high-quality all-Russian semi-final, with both players pushing each other to the limit across three sets in which there was little to separate the two.

Kudermetova edged the first on a tight tiebreak, before the 2021 Roland-Garros finalist fought back to win the second, pulling ahead when it mattered by winning the tiebreak 7-2.

But 19th-ranked Kudermetova is on a rich run of form. Having just taken out Iga Swiatek for the first time in five attempts, the Russian showed her quality by taking charge of the decider, winning it 6-3 to reach her second WTA singles final of the season.

Kudermetova, ranked No 19, will face the winner of the match between Greek Maria Sakkari, the No 4 seed, and American Jessica Pegula, the second seed, next.

Ahead of her victory, Veronika Kudermetova won against qualifier Harriet Dart (6-3, 7-6 (4)), American Kayla Day (6-3, 6-3) and Pole Iga Swiatek, the top seed (6-2, 2-6, 6-4).

Pavlyuchenkova, ranked No 86, defeated Croat Donna Vekic (6-1, 6-1), Linda Noskova (6-3, 4-6, 6-0) and Ekaterina Alexandrova (6-2, 7-5) in the previous rounds.