Czechs Benesova, Kvitova in Hobart finals

HOBART, Australia, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Unseeded Czechs Iveta Benesova and Petra Kvitova won decisive straight-set victories Thursday, advancing to the finals of the Hobart International in Australia.

Benesova breezed to a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Slovanian Magdalena Rybarikova and the 18-year-old Kvitova beat Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano, 6-4, 6-2.

The title match will be played Friday. The event is a tuneup for the Australian Open, which begins next week in Melbourne.

Benesova, 25, ranked No. 41 in the world, will be seeking her second WTA title. Kvitova, ranked 49th, will play in her first title match on the tour.