Wickmayer to face Cornet in Gasten finals

BAD GASTEIN, Austria, June 16 (UPI) -- Second-seeded Yanina Wickmayer and No. 7 seed Alize Cornet advanced to the finals of the Gastein Ladies tennis tournament in Austria Saturday.

Wickmayer prevailed over Mandy Minella of Luxembourg 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 in Saturday's semifinals to position herself for her first tournament crown in two years.

Wickmayer rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win a marathon 81-minute first set. "It was very hot out there and she played a great match," the weary Belgian said afterward. "I just tried to stay strong and stay positive and keep fighting."

Cornet had an easier time against third-seeded Ksenia Perval of Kazakhstan. Cornet had her serve broken four times Saturday, however she broke Perval nine times en route to a 6-2, 6-2 victory.