Hobart joy at arrival of Williams
December 30, 2006
She hasn't won a title in more than a year, but the arrival of former world No. 1 Serena Williams in Tasmania this week has local tennis fans scrambling for tickets.
The glamorous star, a seven-time grand slam winner, will arrive in Hobart on Friday for next week's Moorilla Hobart International, and tournament director Michael Roberts can hardly believe his luck.
"We have been pretty lucky this year," Roberts said. "We've got 17 of the world's top 50 players coming, but getting Serena is huge. She's known around the world, so it's created a lot of interest."
Williams is one of only five players to have held all four grand slam singles titles at once. She won the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles in 2002 before winning the Australian Open title in 2003.
If Williams wins through to the final in Hobart, the 1600-seat stadium will almost burst.
Adding to the hype has been a debate sparked by Roberts, who referred to Williams as "arguably the highest profile athlete … from any sport" to compete in Tasmania. "I did say arguably," he told The Sunday Age.
Williams' third-round defeat in the 2006 Australian Open heralded a disappointing year that included six months on the sidelines with knee problems. Now, as the 25-year-old attempts to climb back into the top, Roberts suspects she needs this tournament as much as the tournament needs her.
"I think it's the perfect tournament for her at the moment," he said. "Somewhere she can play some tennis and get some time on the court."
Chris Fyshe, a barman at Montgomery's Hotel in Hobart, said having her play in this year's tournament has rivalled interest in the Sydney to Hobart and Melbourne to Hobart yacht races.
"It's great," he said. "Even people who don't know much about tennis know Serena Williams' name."
The draw includes rising Russian star Anna Chakvetadze, the top-ranked entry, at No. 13 in the world. Alicia Molik is also returning to the tournament she won in 2003.
The prospect of Molik and Williams meeting in the final was part of the reason the press box has been expanded. "In terms of world sport, Serena is huge," Roberts said.
Hobart grabs another seven stars
December 12, 2006
Seven more of the world's top 50 women tennis players will contest the Moorilla Hobart International in January, further boosting the tournament's strongest player field.
Tournament organisers announced today that Fed Cup winner Flavia Penetta, Russian glamour girl Maria Kirilenko, world No.32 Alona Bondarenko, defending champion Jie Zheng, rising Russian 19-year-old Olga Poutchkova, world No.39 Severine Bremond from France and former top 15 player Elena Lekhovtseva from Russia would contest the title.
The player list now boasts 17 of the world's top 50 players, headlined by seven-time grand slam winner Serena Williams and world no.13 Anna Chakvetadze.
Zheng, the world No.33 from China, had her best year on tour in 2006, winning two singles titles, including the Hobart tournament, and six doubles titles, including the doubles crowns at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Penetta, the world No.28 and three-time WTA Tour title-winner, helped Italy record its first ever Fed Cup crown earlier this year, while world No.30 Kirilenko collected $547,400 in prize money this year and made the third round at the Australian, French and US Opens.
Teen sensation Poutchkova began 2006 with a world ranking of 197 but jumped an astounding 159 places after reaching two WTA Tour finals, one semi-final and two quarter-finals.
Tournament director Michael Roberts attributed the record breaking player field to the investments made in both the Moorilla Hobart International and Australian Open series.
"This year there have been some bold new changes and investments in both this tournament and the Australian Open Series as a whole, and we have been rewarded with an exceptional player field," Roberts said.
"Tennis Australia, along with the state member associations, have put a lot of effort into ensuring these tournaments are taken to the next level.
"In Hobart, the prizemoney has reached its highest ever mark of US$170,000 ($216,400), while players, fans and officials will enjoy an $800,000 facilities upgrade.
"To have another seven top 50 players, six of whom are ranked inside the top 40, is brilliant news for the tournament."
The Moorilla Hobart International, part of the Australian Open Series, will run from Friday 5 – Friday 12 January, 2007, at the Domain Tennis Centre.
Hobart International announces Strongest Ever Field
December 1, 2006
The Hobart International will boast the strongest player field in the tournament's history, with 10 of the world's top 50 players signing on for the event, organisers announced today.
Headlined by one of the biggest names in sport – Serena Williams – in addition to world No.13 Anna Chakvetadze of Russia and defending champion Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands, the Hobart International will be staged from Friday 5 – Friday 12 January 2007 at the Domain Tennis Centre.
Tournament Director Michael Roberts said, “I'm thrilled to announce the strongest field in the tournament's history, with 10 of the world's top 50 players heading to Hobart.
“The momentum leading into the 2007 event has been really incredible. In addition to prizemoney being lifted to its highest ever mark of US$170,000, and a A$800,000 facilities upgrade, the announcements that Serena Williams and world No.13 Anna Chakvetadze will headline the player field have resulted in record ticket sales.
“We have all the semifinalists from this year's event returning and many of the players achieved their career-best ranking during 2006. There are going to be great match-ups from the first day.
“The event has attracted media interest from Australia and all around the world, and we have international coverage secured in the Asia/Pacific and Russia,” Roberts said.
The announcement that seven-time Grand Slam singles winner Serena Williams would compete for the first time in Hobart has resulted in ticket sales for the event reaching record levels. The American, aged 25, has won singles titles at all four of the majors and accumulated more than US$16 million in prizemoney. Williams has traditionally played well in Australia, being a two-time winner at Melbourne Park in 2003 and 2005, and will be looking for some solid performances at Hobart to take her into the opening Grand Slam of the year.
The highest-ranked player to have competed at the Hobart International will be Anna Chakvetadze. The 19-year-old Russian has quickly risen up the world rankings during the last couple of years, culminating in her victory at the prestigious Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Tier I Kremlin Cup in Moscow in October. On her way to the title, the Russian achieved impressive victories against three top 10 players: Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva and Nadia Petrova in the final.
Dutchwoman Michaella Krajicek (ranked No.35 in the world) will be back to defend the title she won in January with the loss of only one set from five matches. The 17-year-old had a very successful year, winning another title in s'Hertogenbosch and reaching the semifinals at Istanbul, Budapest, Stuttgart and Hasselt. She also scored victories over top 15 players Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva and Ana Ivanovic.
A finalist at Hobart in 2002, Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues (27) is the second highest ranked woman to enter the tournament. Medina Garrigues won two titles in 2006, taking out Canberra and Palermo, and making the last four at Strasbourg.
Former world No.6 and Hobart champion Chanda Rubin (special injury ranking 29) will be looking to start the year on a winning note after an injury-plagued year in 2006. The American has finished inside the world's top 15 on five occasions and has reached an Australian Open semifinal and three quarterfinals at Roland Garros.
Hard-hitting left-hander Lucie Safarova last competed in qualifying at Hobart in 2005 as a 17-year-old ranked 196 in the world, but will return in 2007 as world No. 42 with three Sony Ericsson WTA Tour titles to her name.
Only seven players have managed to defeat world No.2 Maria Sharapova in 2006, and one of those is Jamea Jackson (45). The American was a finalist at Birmingham in June, defeating Sharapova in straight sets in the semifinals. Currently sitting on a career-best ranking, Jackson reached the quarterfinals in Tokyo and the third round at Miami, and represented the United States in Fed Cup.
A superstar in her native India, Sania Mirza (66) will be competing at Hobart for the second time. Mirza had a breakthrough year on the WTA Tour in 2005 when she became the first Indian woman to break into the top 50 and reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam at the US Open. This year she captured two doubles titles at Bangalore and Kolkata, and in singles reached the semifinals at Kolkata and the quarterfinals at four events, including Seoul, where she defeated Martina Hingis in three sets.
Popular Night Sessions to Continue
The popular night sessions at the Hobart International will continue at the 2007 tournament. Night sessions will be played from Monday 8 – Friday 12 January with the singles and doubles finals once again being held on the Friday night. All sessions start at 7.00pm
Chakvetadze to play in Hobart
November 1, 2006
World No.13 Anna Chakvetadze of Russia has been confirmed for the 2007 Moorilla Hobart International , tournament organisers announced.
Chakvetadze (pronounced chuk-veh-TAHD-zeh), aged 19, has quickly risen up the world rankings during the last couple of years, culminating in her victory at the prestigious Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Tier I Kremlin Cup in Moscow two weeks ago. On her way to the title, the Russian achieved impressive victories against three top 10 players: Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva and Nadia Petrova in the final.
"I am extremely excited to begin the 2007 season playing the Moorilla Hobart International," Chakvetadze said. "I have heard many great things about the event from my friends and I am looking forward to competing in Hobart for the first time."
Moorilla Hobart International tournament director Michael Roberts said, "To have a player of Anna's talent and ranking commit to the tournament well in advance of the player entry deadline is a coup for the tournament.
"She will be the highest-ranked player to have competed at Hobart, and is one of the fastest rising stars in women's tennis. Anna has represented Russia in Fed Cup, recently won a Tier I event in Moscow and has a string victories over top 10 players all at just 19 years of age.
"This news, along with the tournament's prize money being boosted to US$170,000 and our facility upgrade almost complete, shows that we're well on track for a fantastic 2007 Moorilla Hobart International," Roberts said.
The US$170,000 Moorilla Hobart International is part of the Australian Open Series and will be staged from Sunday 7 – Friday 12 January 2007 at the Domain Tennis Centre .
Six of the world's top 11 players have previously competed at the Moorilla Hobart International and the tournament's honour roll boasts names such as Kim Clijsters (2000), Alicia Molik (2003) and this year's winner, world No.35 Michaella Krajicek.
Stosur beats Chakvetadze at Generali
October 26, 2006
Samantha Stosur beat seventh-seeded Anna Chakvetadze 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday in the second round of the Generali Ladies.
Chakvetadze, who won the Kremlin Cup in Moscow this month, struggled with her serve and hit five double faults. She allowed 12 break points and was broken three times
Chakvetadze maintains winning momentum
October 24, 2006
Russian Anna Chakvetadze continued her winning form to sweep aside Slovenia's Katarina Srebotnik 7-5 6-2 at the Linz Open on Tuesday.
Chakvetadze, playing her first match since lifting the Kremlin Cup title nine days ago, needed patience to come out top in a baseline battle against Srebotnik.
After four consecutive breaks in the middle of the first set, Chakvetadze broke to love to lead 6-5 and served out the set. She then finished strongly in the second, breaking for 3-2 and again for a 5-2 lead before serving out the match.
She will now play Samantha Stosur for the place in the quarterfinals.
Ana has reached her highest ever singles ranking
October 16, 2006
In the latest Sony Ericsson WTA tour lists, published today, Kremlin Cup Champion has risen 8 places to world No.16., after a straight-sets win over compatriot Nadia Petrova in the Kremlin Cup Final.
In the Porsche Race, she moved 7 places, to No.20.
Moscow champ Chakvetadze pulls out of Zurich Open
October 16, 2006
Anna Chakvetadze has pulled out of the Zurich Open with a shoulder injury, organizers said Monday.
The 19-year-old Russian strained her left shoulder during Saturday's Kremlin Cup semifinal against compatriot Elena Dementieva , according to an official WTA injury report. Chakvetadze defeated Nadia Petrova in the final on Sunday.
Chakvetadze, ranked 16th in the world, was scheduled to meet French wild card Nathalie Dechy in the first round of the Zurich Open.
Dechy will instead play Slovakia 's Jarmila Gajdosova , ranked 75th.
Chakvetadze Beats Petrova For Kremlin Cup Title
October 15, 2006
With 15 Russians in the draw, the Kremlin Cup crowds were optimistic that one of their own would end up hoisting the trophy on Sunday. But, few would have predicted which Russian would eventually make their hopes come true. Capping the week with a 64 64 championship victory over Nadia Petrova, Anna Chakvetadze won her second and biggest career Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title at the Tier I Kremlin Cup.
Despite coming off her maiden title two weeks ago at the Tier III in Guangzhou, Chakvetadze came into the Kremlin Cup unseeded, and thus largely unheralded. But that did not get in the way of one of the fastest-rising stars around; she made a dream run to the final, beating Top 10 stars Dinara Safina and Elena Dementieva, as well as world No.12 Francesca Schiavone, en route to her first Tier I final.
In Petrova, she was facing a player who had been struggling mightily with injuries in the days leading up to the final, but coming off her fifth title of the season in Stuttgart and battling through to this week's final, the No.5 seed left it all on the court anyway. The two players served strongly and traded solid groundstrokes throughout the one-hour, 31-minute final, and aside from a slight comeback in the second set, where Petrova cut a 4-1 hole down to 4-3, Chakvetadze was in comfortable control throughout, finally improving to 3-0 against her compatriot.
The 19-year-old Muscovite was ecstatic after the straight set championship win, which represented her sixth career Top 10 victory; her fourth and fifth came earlier in the week with the aforementioned defeats of Safina and Dementieva.
"I'd come to watch the Kremlin Cup with my parents from the age of six, and I never thought I'd play in this tournament," Chakvetadze said afterwards. "To win the title here is just unbelievable – a dream come true.
"Having won my first title recently I had an even better week here, beating three Top 10 players, so I'm definitely going to buy myself something as a reward for this victory. I'm also going to celebrate this victory with my family and friends."
Anna Breaks New Ground
October 14, 2006
Anna Chakvetadze won an all-Russian match with Elena Dementieva, 7-5 3-6 6-0. The unseeded teen struggled with her left shoulder early on, even getting medical treatment after three games, but she still managed to win the first set. The No.4-seeded Dementieva won the second but appeared to have used up all her energy and Chakvetadze pounced, losing a total of six points in polishing off her fifth career Top 10 victory and reaching her first Tier I final.
"I still can't believe I'm in the final of the Kremlin Cup," Chakvetadze said. "For Russian players this is a very important tournament, and I'm so happy to be just one match from possibly winning the title."
"I was too tired in the end and couldn't bring my best tennis to the court today," Dementieva said. "I had two very tough matches this week and was trying very hard to be fully fit after I had some trouble with my leg last week but in the third set she was simply fresher than me."
Chakvetadze had already taken out four Top 10 players prior to Saturday's win, but this is the first time in her career she has done it twice in one week. In the opening round here, she ousted new world No.10 Dinara Safina in straight sets.
A lot on the line in Sunday's final; Chakvetadze leads series, 2-0
For both players, winning the Kremlin Cup would be one of their greatest honors. Although Petrova has already won six Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles titles (five in 2006) and a pair of Tier Is (Charleston and Berlin, both this past spring), she hasn't won on home soil yet; and for Chakvetadze it would be her first Tier I title, having won her first title two weeks ago at the Tier III event in Guangzhou.
But for Petrova, not only is there a title within reach, there is also a chance for vengeance. Between her stellar clay court season and her equally-impressive indoor season thus far, Petrova went through a hip injury-induced summer slump, the lowest points coming during the summer hardcourt season leading up to the US Open, where she failed to win a match in four tournaments. Two of those losses came to Chakvetadze.
Petrova was upended by her young countrywoman in her opening match at San Diego, 63 67(5) 62, as well as in her first match in Montréal, 61 64. But things seem a lot different for the 24-year-old Muscovite since hitting the indoor courts of Stuttgart last week, where she won her fifth title of the year.
"It's a dream to be playing the Kremlin Cup final," Petrova declared. "I really hope I can bring my best tennis to the court tomorrow."
"I've been playing very well all week," Chakvetadze said of her Kremlin Cup run, "so hopefully I can keep it going for just one more day."
The match starts at 13:30pm local time (11:30am CET).
Moscow semifinal: Anna vs. Elena
October 14, 2006
This is Anna's second Tier I semifinal of the year. If she wants to reach the final in her hometown, she must overcome Russian compatriot, World No.7 Elena Dementieva.
The pair has met twice before. Both encounters were last year, with 6 years older Russian winning in straight sets at Australian Open 6-2 6-1, and in three tough sets at US Open 6-1 4-6 7-6(5).
The match is scheduled as second on Center Court . It follows other women's semifinal, the match between Nicole Vaidisova and Nadia Petrova. The play begins at 1:00pm local time (11am CET), and Anna's match is expected to begin sometime around 14:30pm local time (12:30pm CET).
Anna moves to Semis
October 13, 2006
Anna is in her second Tier I Semifinal of the year, after the No.2 seed Maria Sharapova withdrew due to right foot injury.
She will play against compatriot Elena Dementieva for the place in the final.
"I'm disappointed not to play, especially with Maria here in Russia," Anna said. "I'll try to use my time off to relax and get ready for my semifinal match. I have played Dementieva before and she has beaten me every time, but I'm a stronger player now and I think I have a chance to win."
19-year old Russians showdown: Anna vs. Maria
October 12, 2006
Reigning US Open champion stands in Anna's way to the semifinals of this Tier I event.
The No.2 seed Sharapova had beaten a month older compatriot in two previous occasions last year – at French Open 6-1 6-4, and at Los Angeles 4-6 6-4 7-5.
Considering that this will be only second match since winning the US Open in September for the World No.3, and a tough match last time they've played when Anna was ranked 31 st in the World, this should be a very interesting match, hopefully leading Anna to her first semifinals at her hometown event.
The match is scheduled as fourth on Centre court on Friday, and will not begin before 16:30pm local time (14:30pm) CET.
Anna moves past Schiavone
October 12, 2006
Anna beat world No.12 Francesca Schiavone 7-6(3), 6-4 to move into the third round of the Ladies Kremlin Cup. She completed a hard-earned victory in one hour and 39 minutes.
She hit six aces, and committed three double faults. The Italian had five brake points, but Anna saved two. On the other side, the Russian capitalized on 4 break points, from six opportunities she had. 19-year old made 35 unforced errors, and won 73 points in total.
She will face No.2 seed Maria Sharapova in quarter-finals on Friday after the Russian beat Ekaterina Bychkova 6-4, 7-5.
Anna vs. Schiavone in Round 2
October 11, 2006
Anna's second round opponent is World No. 12, Francesca Schiavone. Italian was a runner-up at this event 12 months ago, losing to Mary Pierce 6-4 6-3.
The two have meet once before, last year in Filderstadt, with 26-year old winning in straight sets 6-3 6-3.
The clash is scheduled as first match on Central court, and begins at 11am local time (9am CET).
Defeat in doubles
October 11, 2006
Anna and Elena Vesnina lost in first round of doubles competiton at Ladies Kremlin Cup. They were beaten by another all-Russian team - Maria Kirilenko and Vera Douchevina 1-6 6-4 6-1.
Doubles first round
October 10, 2006
Anna is in action again tomorrow, she plays first round match in doubles competition alongside fellow Russian Elena Vesnina. The pair meats another all-Russian team - Maria Kirilenko and Vera Douchevina.
Anna's partner Elena is ranked 38 th in doubles ranking, which is her best career ranking, and has won one doubles title so far, while Anna, who is the younger one in the pair, is yet to win a doubles title, and is currently on the 66. position in doubles ranking, what is her best ranking as well.
Maria Kirilenko, who usually plays doubles with Serbian player Ana Ivanovic, has two doubles titles, and is at No. 28 in the rankings. 20-year old Dushevina has never won a doubles title, but her ranking is better then Anna's – she is at 52. place, but she was ranked higher – at No. 36 in earlier this year.
The match between four Russians is scheduled as third match on Court 2 on Wednesday, after men's singles matches. The play starts at 12pm local time (10am CET).
Anna moves to second round
October 10, 2006
Ana is through to the second round of the Ladies Kremlin Cup after a convincing 6-1, 6-2 victory over the No. 7 seed Dinara Safina.
Anna hit five aces and broke her opponent six times during the 56-minute match. She made one double fault. Safina managed to hold serve only two times during match, and broke Anna's serve once.
The younger Russian made less unforced errors (only 13, while Safina made 26), and won 57 points in total.
Anna will play Francesca Schiavone from Italy in round two, who has beaten Maria Kirilenko 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 in their first round match.
Anna in action on Tuesday
October 9, 2006
Anna's first round match against the No. 7 seed Dinara Safina will be played on Tuesday. It is scheduled as a third match on the Central court, and is expected to begin after 3pm local time (1pm CET).
In doubles competition, Anna will play alongside fellow Russian Elena Vesnina. They are drawn against another Russian pair, Maria Kirilenko and Vera Douchevina, in first round.
Ladies Kremlin Cup draw released
October 8, 2006
Anna's first round opponent is Dinara Safina, the No. 7 seed. The pair had met two times before, with the older Russian winning in both occasions – in Moscow two years ago 6-4 1-6 6-3, and this year in Paris 6-2 6-1.
If Anna overcomes Safina, her second round opponent will be either Maria Kirilenko, or Francesca Schiavone. The most likely 3 rd round opponent would be Maria Sharapova.
Anna Chakvetadze Wins Guangzhou Open in China
October 1, 2006
After reaching the semifinals at several high-profile events and notching a cluster of victories against the game's elite, she was being touted as one of the next big things in the women's game. But over the weekend in Guangzhou, Anna Chakvetadze finally placed herself at the forefront of the young Russian movement, winning her first ever Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title, capping the run with a 61 64 win over Anabel Medina Garrigues.
Chakvetadze, the No.3 seed at the Tier III event, was navigating uncharted territory by even reaching the final, where she was facing an opponent who already had six titles to her name. But her unblemished head-to-head against Medina Garrigues, which included straight set wins in all three of their previous encounters, was kept intact on Sunday. Chakvetadze belted the ball with conviction and accuracy throughout the one-hour, 35-minute affair, dominating the Spaniard in the first set and holding her off in the second for her career-first Tour title.
"I knew I had to be really aggressive today, and it worked," who has still never been pushed beyond 6-4 in a set against Medina Garrigues. "Maybe the score looked easy but it was a very difficult match. She is a top player and it was not easy to beat her. I just took my chances; fortunately I came out on top today."
Towards the end of the match, it seemed as though Medina Garrigues was finding her range and hanging tough with Chakvetadze, mixing in a larger variety of pace and spins to bring a halt to the momentum. But even a rain delay didn't phase the Russian from attaining her goal.
"When the rain started, I wanted to keep playing but she wanted to stop; I just felt like I didn't want to lose the momentum," Chakvetadze said. "In the end the rain stopped after only a few minutes so fortunately we were able to continue and I managed to win in straight sets."
Although the rankings have become increasingly populated with young, up-and-coming Russians, Chakvetadze is one of only two teenagers from her nation this year to stand in the winner's circle at a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles event, joining fellow 19-year-old Maria Sharapova, who has made title runs this year at Indian Wells, San Diego and, of course, at the US Open. Needless to say, Chakvetadze was excited to be in such exclusive company.
"I am so happy to win my first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title," Chakvetadze added. "I have been working and hoping for this for a long time."
Medina Garrigues fell to 6-3 lifetime in Tour singles finals with the loss. The Spaniard has been one of the few multiple titlists this year, winning Tier IV tournaments at Canberra and Palermo, and was searching for her second Tier III title, having won in Strasbourg last year. But perhaps her marathon semifinal win over Tzipora Obziler caught up with her in the final.
"I was really tired from the three hour match yesterday," said the Spaniard, who stopped the surprise semifinal run of Israeli veteran Obziler in three tough sets. "Anna also was playing really well. The heat was affecting me and I just felt like she deserved to win today."
Coming in ranked No.26, Chakvetadze is projected to surpass her previous high of No.24 come Monday's rankings, at No.22 or No.23. World No.31 Medina Garrigues will re-enter the Top 30.
The Guangzhou International Women's Open crowds had been anticipating a championship match-up between top seeds Jelena Jankovic and Li Na, but in the end that wasn't to be. Jankovic was forced to stop during her semifinal against the eventual champion as the hot, humid weather finally took its toll on the explosive Serbian; Li, who has set several records for Chinese tennis throughout the last few months, was a quarterfinal victim to Obziler.
In the doubles draw, Chinese pair Li Ting and Sun Tiantian delighted the home crowd with an epic 64 26 75 championship victory over Vania King and Jelena Kostanic. The No.2-seeded home favorites edged the unseeded, first-time pairing in a thrilling third set battle to capture their ninth Tour doubles title as a team, adding to an already fantastic resumé highlighted by their 2004 Athens Olympics gold medal run.
Chakvetadze in first WTA final
September 2006
Fourth-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain ground out a 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 win over Tzipi Obziler of Israel on Saturday to advance to the Guangzhou Open final.
Medina Garrigues will face No. 3 Anna Chakvetadze of Russia in Sunday's title match after top-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia retired in the second set of their semifinal trailing 7-5, 2-0.
Chakvetadze will contest her first WTA final, while Medina Garrigues is chasing her third tournament win this year after claiming the Canberra and Palermo titles.