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Bartoli powers to final

French ace to face qualifier Wozniak in Sunday's final

Last updated: 20th July 2008

Bartoli: Reached final

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Marion Bartoli raised her game to beat Japan's Ai Sugiyama for the first time on Saturday to reach the Stanford Classic final.

The sixth seed overpowered Sugiyama 6-3 6-3 to set up a final clash with qualifier Aleksandra Wozniak, who advanced when top seed Serena Williams was forced to retire with a knee injury in their semi.

Bartoli, who had lost all five of her previous clashes with Sugiyama, said afterwards she had improved her game to reach her first final since Wimbledon 2007.

The French star said: "I played really well, but she gave me a hard time.

"The last time I played her I wasn't at the same level. I wasn't moving as fast, not serving the same way, I was making more unforced errors and not hitting as hard. Everything is improved now."

Bartoli believed she was helped to victory by her serve. "I kept my composure and came back with some great serves when I needed to. I've improved my serve in the big occasions," she said.

Williams disappointed

In the other semi, Williams had to retire with a knee injury when down 6-2 3-1 as she was unable to put weight on her left leg.

She had taken a medical timeout to receive treatment when she was down 5-2 in the first set, but to no avail.

The American was extremely disappointed afterwards as she believed she would have won the tournament.

She said: "I expected to win this tournament and have a strong start (to the hard court season).

"My goal was to win here and I think I would have done it otherwise.

"I've been playing a lot of tennis so I think that's what it is. When you have inflammation in a joint it's hard to move. Wozniak kept moving me and I was hoping she wouldn't."

Williams added she is now unsure if she will be able to compete in next week's Los Angles Classic, with being fit for the Beijing Olympic Games her top priority.