Petrova, Mattek Move Into Title Match in Quebec

Nadia Petrova got one step closer to her second Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title of the year Saturday, defeating Angela Haynes in straight sets to reach the final of the Bell Challenge.
 
Haynes, who had never reached a singles quarterfinal on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour before this week, had reached the semifinals with some impressive wins, and as a lucky loser, no less. But she drew the top-seeded Petrova in that round and her breakthrough run came to an abrupt end in 50 minutes, as she fell, 61 63, to the world's No.11 player.
 
"I beat a lot of tough opponents this week, but Nadia was just too tough today," Haynes said. "I felt like everything was just off from the very beginning. Against a great player like her that's not good enough. She didn't give me any chances to get into the match. But I'm proud of myself. I got into the draw as a lucky loser, and I feel like I really took advantage of that opportunity."
 
"Getting into the final is what we're all here for, so I'm very happy," Petrova said. "I felt I was very consistent from beginning to end. I just wanted to do everything right. She was cracking the ball really well. When she sets up for the shots she plays really well. And she has a good serve too. There aren't many lefties on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour right now, so she's dangerous."
 
Awaiting Petrova in the final of the Tier III event is No.6 seed Bethanie Mattek, who pulled off a minor upset over No.5-seeded Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak, 76(4) 63. Mattek led 5-3 in the opening set before Wozniak rallied, but she would eventually close it out in a tie-break and move through the second set safely to reach her first singles final on the Tour, having been a semifinalist three times.
 
"She's ranked ahead of me and was the crowd favorite, so it's a very good win for me," Mattek said. "I just went out there and played my game. She's really good when she's on the offense, so I had to try and keep her from taking control. She hit a lot of good passing shots when I came to the net but the goal was to stay aggressive, and I think I accomplished that against her today."
 
"I've never played her; I've seen her play a few times though," Petrova said about Mattek. "I know she's aggressive and likes coming into the net. And she's confident this year. She'll be tough to beat tomorrow."
 
Mattek has had three Top 20 wins this year, bringing her career tally to five; she should have confidence taking on the 11th-ranked Petrova, then.
 
"Nadia has had a great season and is the No.1 seed, so I'm looking forward to playing her," Mattek said. "I'll go out there, enjoy myself and play my game."
 
The doubles final will pit No.2 seed Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Vania King against No.4 seeds Jill Craybas and Tamarine Tanasugarn, and will precede the singles.