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Larsson meets Hercog in Swedish Open final

Johanna Larsson, shown during the 2011 French Open, advanced to the finals of the Swedish Open with a straight-set win Friday. UPI/David Silpa
Johanna Larsson, shown during the 2011 French Open, advanced to the finals of the Swedish Open with a straight-set win Friday. UPI/David Silpa | License Photo

BASTAD, Sweden, July 8 (UPI) -- Local favorite Johanna Larsson Friday earned a slot across from Polona Hercog in the finals of the Swedish Open.

Larsson defeated fellow Swede Sofia Arvidsson 6-3, 6-1, and Hercog, the No. 8 seed, got past seventh-seeded Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in Friday's semifinals.

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They will meet Saturday for the tournament title and a champion's check of $37,000. The runner-up will settle for $19,000. Arvidsson and Zahlavova Strycova earned $10,200 as semifinalists.

Larsson cashed in all four of her break-point chances and won nearly half of the points when receiving serve. She won two-thirds of the points on serve.

Hercog battled Zahlavova Strycova for nearly 2 1/2 hours before closing out the match. She had at least two breaks in each set, including the final game of the third set.

Saturday's meeting between Larsson and Hercog will be the second of their careers. They played in the second round at Wimbledon about two weeks ago with Hercog winning in three sets.

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