Defending champion Lesia Tsurenko reaches Mexico Open final

ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — Defending champion Lesia Tsurenko of the Ukraine advanced to the Mexico Open final, beating third-seeded Daria Gavrilova of Australia 6-2, 6-4 on Friday.

The seventh-seeded Tsurenko will face Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland in the hard-court event at Princess Mundo Imperial. Voegele beat Rebecca Peterson of Sweden 6-4, 7-6 (5) to reach her first WTA Tour final.

Fifth-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa and sixth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina advanced to the men’s final. Anderson topped American Jared Donaldson 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the first semifinal, and Del Potro beat second-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany 6-4, 6-2 in the night match.

Tsurenko led 5-0 in the second set before finally finishing off Gavrilova on the seventh match point.

“It was just getting more and more tough in the second set because her defense was just amazing,” Tsurenko said. “It was confusing for me and I made a lot of mistakes, probably because I lost some concentration. I’m really happy I finished 6-4 and not getting to a tiebreak.”

She won the event last year for her third WTA Tour title.

“I just really like it here,” Tsurenko said. “I think all the conditions for the tournament are just great. I know that all the players enjoy it. The surface is great. I like to play on hard courts.”

Anderson won the New York Open two weeks ago for his fourth career title.

“I really felt I did well just fighting as hard as I could,” said Anderson, ranked a career-best eighth in the world. “The match point felt great to really go after it and execute the way I wanted to. So, right now I’m just really pleased to be through to the final here. I have a shot at playing for a title.”

The ninth-ranked del Potro won the last of his 20 tour titles last year in Stockholm. He is 6-0 against Anderson, including a victory last month at Delray Beach, Florida.

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