source: APWF
Mona Barthel of Germany returns a ball to Laura Arruabarrena of Spain during their semifinal Swedish Open match in Bastad, Sweden, on July 18, 2015. (Adam Ihse/TT via AP) SWEDEN OUT
BASTAD, Sweden (AP) Defending champion Mona Barthel of Germany beat Lara Arruabarrena of Spain 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday to line up a Swedish Open final against local hope Johanna Larsson.
Larsson beat Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-4, 6-2 to reach her third Bastad final. She lost to Slovenia's Polona Hercog in 2011 and Serena Williams in 2013.
''It was difficult to play today, but it felt like Putintseva was more disturbed by the wind,'' Larsson said after their first encounter.
She was looking forward to Sunday's final against Barthel.
''I have been beaten a few times by Barthel so it will be nice with a revenge game at home,'' the Swede said.
Arruabarrena broke Barthel three times, but lost her own serve six times.