Krumm a surprise finalist at Seoul

SEOUL, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Aging Kimiko Date Krumm of Japan advanced Saturday to the final at the Korea Open tennis tournament at Seoul.

Krumm, who turns 39 Monday, rallied to overcome former top-10 player and defending champion Maria Kirilenko of Russia 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the day's first semifinal, continuing her comeback.

Second-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain won the other semi 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 over Germany's Anna-Lena Groenefeld.

"It took some time to adjust to her game," Krumm said. "Maria doesn't overpower you but she hits a very heavy ball."

If Krumm wins Sunday's final against Medina Garrigues, she would be the second-oldest player ever to win a women's tournament, behind Billie Jean King.

"I'm very excited," Medina Garrigues said. "I haven't been playing well for the last month and a half."

Medina Garrigues won the Moroccan Grand Prix in May.