AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Vera Zvonareva, the tournament runner-up last year, on Friday earned return trip to the finals of the ASB Classic in New Zealand.
Zvonareva, a Russian seeded fifth this week, ousted American Jill Craybas 6-3, 7-5 to advance to the event finals for the second consecutive year. She lost to Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli in the 2006 finals.
Top-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic also it made to Saturday's finals, advancing when Frenchwoman Camille Pin retired due to a left abductor strain. Jankovic was ahead 3-0 in the first set when Pin was unable to continue.
Jankovic is seeking her second tournament title while Zvonareva is going for her sixth. Zvonareva has a 2-1 advantage in matches against Jankovic. The last time they met -- last year in Cincinnati -- Zvonareva dropped just two games in winning.
The winner of Saturday's title match earns $21,140.
