Sybille Bammer of Austria and Argentine Gisela Dulko meet in today's final of the US$170,000 Pattaya Women's Open with a first career title at stake.

Last year's semi-finalist Bammer enhanced her record here by reaching her first career final after taming Chinese third-seeded Peng Shuai 6-4 6-2 in one hour and 19 minutes.

The persistent Dulko counter-punched the machine-like forehands of Sania Mirza of India and prevailed 6-4 7-5 in the match, in which the first game lasted 12 minutes and included 10 deuces.

"I am really happy with my game,'' said Bammer, ranked 61 on the WTA computer. "I felt better on court and my serves were sometimes really good. I made her run."

Pattaya proved a paradise for Bammer, who after joining the pro tour more than a decade ago just appeared in her first semi-final here just last year. A year later she remains on court for her maiden title.

"I always enjoy playing in Pattaya. I like the weather and the people are nice,'' said the 26-year-old from Linz. "I have never played Dulko but I expect a tough match from her."

At No 52 in the world, Dulko has yet to win a title. Her only WTA final came in Hobart two years ago.

"I feel good and will try my best. I feel my game is getting back,'' said the 22-year-old, who had a repertoire of shots with which to counter Mirza's heavy ground strokes.

"[Bammer] hits the ball really hard, especially on the forehand. We all know that. I have to mix up the balls and wait for her mistakes,'' said Dulko. "I have to be in the game since the first point. She has a lot of advantages and I have to give it 100 per cent."

Bammer's career was halted for two years between 2000-2002, during which she gave birth and took care of her daughter Tina. Now already five years old, the little girl always wishes her mom luck on the phone.

In their only previous encounter, which took place in New Delhi five years ago, Peng wasted only two games to crush Bammer. But yesterday's match was a different story, as the Austrian was in charge with her consistent game from the back court.

Left-handed Bammer managed a break in the eighth game to lead 5-3 before firing an ace to set up the first set point. Peng dumped her double-fisted forehand to the net to lose the opener.

Peng never had her momentum in the match and was overwhelmed with unforced errors. She was broken twice in the fifth and seventh games to fall far behind at 2-5 before missing four straight shots to lose the match.

In the second semi-final, Mirza was the more aggressive player but Dulko was the more persistent. The stubbornness of Dulko, who chased down the balls from side to side, earned her a crucial break at 5-4. The Argentine served out the next game, which was over after Mirza's ball sailed over the baseline.

The Indian launched a series of raids with her thunderous forehand but Dulko was swift enough to reply to everything and forced errors from the impatient opponent. Her never-give-up attitude helped her break to go up at 6-5 before holding a love game to wrap up the match.

In the doubles semi-final, Nicole Pratt of Australia and Mara Santangelo Italy beat Jarmila Gajdosova of the Slovak Republic and Jelena Kostanic Tosic of Croatia 7-5 3-6 10-4.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation

Pattaya