Kerber reaches title match in Monterrey

MONTERREY, Mexico, April 7 (UPI) -- No. 1 seed Angelique Kerber had to go three sets Saturday to set up a championship match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at the Monterrey Open.

Kerber downed third-seeded Maria Kirilenko in the semifinals, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 -- the second time in her four matches here this week that she has been taken the distance.

Pavlyuchenkova reached the title match by fighting off Monica Niculescu 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

The finalists are both looking for their first title of the year. They have met only once with Pavlyuchenkova having won that one in the quarterfinals at Brisbane early this season.