SHANGHAI, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Top seed Monica Seles of the United States rolled into the final of the Kiwi Open on Saturday with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Australian Alicia Molik.
Seles looks to complete her tour of the Far East on a high note when taking on another Australian in Sunday's championship, Nicole Pratt, who defeated seventh seeded Rita Grande of Italy, 6-3, 6-4.
Seles, who won the Japan Open last week and also last month's Brasil Open, needed just 46 minutes to extended her winning streak to 12 matches.
"I felt that I have been playing well since I came back after a long injury time in July," she said. "I played well in California, the only disappointing time was the U.S. Open. Winning in Brazil and Tokyo last week and getting to the final this week is a great feeling."
The 27-year-old Seles is looking for her fourth title of the year and 51st of her career. She also won the IGA U.S. Indoors before suffering a foot injury that sidelined her for five months.
Pratt becomes the first Australian to reach a WTA Tour final in seven years. The last was Rachel McQuillan on Jan. 14, 1994 in Hobart, Australia.
"I'm extremely excited to be in the final," said Pratt, who is ranked 65th in the world. "I've felt my form improving more and more over the past few months and I expected to do well and reach a final or win one of the tournaments on the Asian circuit, so I'm pleased to have my expectations.
"I played Monica at the U.S. Open and she played so well, I'm not expecting her to play that well tomorrow! I think the key to the match for me will be how well I serve."
Seles, a nine-time Grand Slam winner, is ranked eighth in the world and will be the favorite in the final. She also beat Pratt in the round of 16 at Sydney this year.
