Top-ranked Safina beats Brianti to reach Slovenia Open final

Top-ranked Safina reaches Slovenia Open final

PORTOROZ, Slovenia — Top-ranked Dinara Safina has reached her seventh final of the year by beating Alberta Brianti of Italy 6-4, 6-3 at the Slovenia Open.

Safina had little difficulty in ousting the 107th-ranked Brianti in 1 hour, 34 minutes on Saturday. The Russian is playing her first tournament since losing to Venus Williams in the Wimbledon semifinals.

Safina lost her serve when serving for the first set at 5-3 but broke right back.

She then took a 3-1 lead in the second and held on from there against Brianti, who was playing her first WTA Tour semifinal.

Safina will play either defending champion Sara Errani of Italy or Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland.