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Published on October 14, 2007

 The inspired world No 79-ranked Italian, putting behind her the memory of losing to the six-time Grand Slam winner two weeks ago, won a battle of heavy ground strokes 6-4 7-6 (10-8) in front of a disappointed crowd at the LTAT National Tennis Development Centre.

Meeting her across the net today is 18-year-old Chan, who outlasted Yan Zi of China 7-5 3-6 7-5 in two hours and 21 minutes for her first career final.

Pennetta haplessly went down to Williams 6-2 6-2 in Seoul a fortnight ago. But yesterday she was a different player, keeping the world No 8 at bay throughout the match with a masterly baseline game.

"I was a little bit surprised. I went into the court thinking maybe I could beat her. I played so good and gained a lot of points on serves, which put her under pressure.'' said Pennetta, who saved three set points to settle the score with Williams.

"In Seoul, I was nervous when I played her for the first time. I made errors. But this time I did my best,'' said the 25-year-old Milan-based player - in search of her first season title after losing in a final in Acapulco, Mexico.

"Now I just want to enjoy the moment. No matter who I play it will be tough for me in the final,'' added the Italian dark horse, who included the result over Williams as one of her most beautiful career wins. Her other sensational result was a victory over Justin Henin in Filderstadt two years ago.

Williams accepted Pennetta was the better player on the day and had only herself to blame as she concluded her Asian Tour, after Seoul and Tokyo, in unsatisfactory fashion.

"She tried hard and played her shots. Against me she had to play her best, she went for a lot more and did well. I made a lot of errors,'' said Williams, joining two other tournament favourites who suffered premature exits - Jelena Jankovic and Shahar Peer.

Chan, who won the World University Games doubles gold medal on this court in August, was the more persistent towards the end of her match with Yan, who overhit two forehands wide to go out.

"She gave me a tough match but I tried to stay focused and play with confidence. I'm excited about my first WTA final,'' said the former Pattaya junior champion, who lines up a clash against the Italian for the first time.

"She's is playing well. I will try to keep focused. Everybody wants to win,'' said Chan, who loves to play in the Kingdom where she feels comfortable and has a lot of friends.

In the doubles semi-final played on Friday night, Sophia Mulspa and Varatchaya Wongteanchai went down to Australian Open and Wimbledon doubles champion Zi Yan and Olympic doubles gold medallist Sun Tian-tian of China 6-2 6-0.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

 The Nation

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