TOKYO (AP) — Qualifier Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan outlasted defending champion Christina McHale 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 Saturday to advance to the final of the Japan Women's Open.
Diyas was down 3-1 in the final set but broke the 25-year-old American twice to complete the victory and secure her second WTA final.
"It was a very tough match today," Diyas said. "Christina played really well and I had to work for every point, but I am happy with my game and I think I played really well."
Diyas had previously beaten eighth-seeded Yulia Putintseva and second-seeded Zhang Shuhai before facing McHale in the last four.
Diyas, a finalist here in 2014, will face Japan's Miyu Kato in Sunday's final. Kato beat Croatia's Jana Fett 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4.