Tennis News

Razzano runs down Kanepi to reach Dubai final

Feb 20, 2009, 11:56 GMT

Dubai, UAE - French surprise packet Virginie Razzano will relax with her boyfriend and down a calming glass of beer the night before facing one of the Williams sisters for the title at the Barclays Championships on Saturday.

The number 58 with two career title from 2007 is not one to worry too much about the immediate future after crushing Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-1, 6-2.

World number 1 Serena faces her sibling Venus in the second semi-final as the sisters meet for the 19th time standing 9-all.

'I'll enjoy my boyfriend, have a nice dinner and a nice beer,' said Razzano, who professed that she was not surprised at her feat this week at one of the major events on the regular Tour calendars.

'I had a beer last night and it really relaxed me, I'll try that again. When I get onto court and after the warm-up, then maybe I'll think a bit about the final.

'I want to digest my victory, enjoy it,' said the finalist who broke Kanepi six times as she raced to victory in just 63 minutes.

Razzano never looks at her draw, preferring to only know her opponent of the next round. 'It's not superstition, it's just how I like to do it, match-by-match.'

But she might make an exception as she tips a possible final with Serena, whom she's never played. The French player stands 1-2 against Venus.

'Maybe it would be fun to try the new one,' she said. 'I've never played Serena so let's see who it would be.'

The outsider, who put out world number 2 Dinara Safina in the second round and followed up with fifth seed Vera Zvonareva, said she is pleased with her week so far in the Gulf.

'I prepared well for this season and I'm trying to schedule better. I'm taking time between my events and trying to do well when I do play.

'I think I have the tennis to beat players in the Top 10. I'm happy today and I have a lot of motivation.'