Strasbourg, May 24: Two-time defending champion Silvia Farina Elia will defend her Strasbourg Open title on Saturday against Croatian qualifier Karolina Sprem.
Seventh-seeded Farina Elia outlasted American Ashley Harkleroad 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the semifinals on Friday, while Sprem added to her string of upsets by ousting sixth-seeded Russian Vera Zvonareva 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.


Sprem, ranked 163, has enjoyed the best week of her career, having earlier beaten world no 10 and top-seeded Jelena Dokic.


Farina Elia came to Strasbourg not having won a tour match since March. After back and leg injuries, she lost three straight first-round matches.

It will be her 10th career final, but Strasbourg is the only tournament the Italian has won. Bureau Report