Errani to face Barthel in Paris Open final

PARIS (AFP) –

Italy’s Sara Errani returns the ball to her opponent Kiki Bertens from Netherlands during their Paris WTA Open tennis match on February 2, 2013 in Paris.

Top seeded Italian Sara Errani will play Germany’s Mona Barthel in the final of the Paris Open after they both clinched easy semi-final victories on Saturday.

Errani was hardly tested as lucky loser Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands retired injured in the first set with a back problem when the 2012 French Open finalist was leading 5-0 and in full command.

Barthel sailed through the first set 6-1 against Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic before overcoming sterner resistence to close out the match 6-4 and reach Sunday’s championship match.