SEOUL, South Korea (AP) Fifth-seeded Monica Niculescu of Romania defeated Zhang Shuai of China 6-0, 6-4 on Saturday to advance to the final of the Korea Open.
The 28-year-old Niculescu, playing in her first event since reaching the third round of the U.S. Open, won seven of 12 break points on her way to a 74-minute win over third-seeded Zhang.
She will face Lara Arruabarrena of Spain in Sunday's final. Arruabarrena defeated Patricia Maria Tig 6-1, 6-2, ending hopes of an all-Romanian final.
The 22-year-old Arruabarrena advanced to the semifinals after dispatching second-seeded Johanna Larsson of Sweden in straight sets.