Kuznetsova beats Bacsinszky to reach Miami final

Two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced to the final of the ATP and WTA Miami Open on Thursday by defeating Swiss 19th seed Timea Bacsinszky 7-5, 6-3.

The 30-year-old Russian, who captured the Miami crown a decade ago, denied Bacsinszky on 12-of-14 break point chances, including three in the final game.

“I enjoyed the fight and I’m happy I’m still able to play against the best in the world,” Kuznetsova said. “I was praying to finish it in two sets so I would have a little more time to rest.”

Kuznetsova will play for the title again Saturday against former world number one Victoria Azarenka of Belarus who beat Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber of Germany.