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Bouzkova ousts Sabalenka to reach Washington WTA final

Staff WritersAP
Marie Bouzkova on her way to defeating Aryna Sabalenka to reach the final in Washington. (EPA PHOTO)
Camera IconMarie Bouzkova on her way to defeating Aryna Sabalenka to reach the final in Washington. (EPA PHOTO) Credit: AAP

Marie Bouzkova has rallied to topple top-seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 3-6 6-3 in their semi-final at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington after a long weather delay.

Down 2-1 in the third set when lightning and rain stopped play for 3 1/2 hours, Bouzkova broke Sabalenka's serve in the first game after they resumed, broke again for a 5-3 lead and closed out the Australian Open champion with a love game.

Sabalenka was playing her first tournament since withdrawing from Wimbledon because of a shoulder injury.

Czech Republic's Bouzkova reached her first WTA 500 final and will face Paula Badosa of Spain, a 6-3 6-3 winner over American Caroline Dolehide in the first semi-final.

Bouzkova won her lone career title in 2002 in Prague.

Ranked as high as No.2, Badosa has slipped to 62nd after a back injury sidelined her for six months last year.

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Fourth-seeded Sebastian Korda will face 10th-seeded Flavio Cobolli of Italy in the men's final, with both looking for their first ATP Tour title.

Korda beat fifth-seeded Frances Tiafoe 6-4 6-4 in an all-American match that end a few minutes after midnight.

Cobolli knocked off second-seeded American Ben Shelton 4-6 7-5 6-3 in a match moved to a secondary court.

Korda is trying to become the first American to win the Washington event since Andy Roddick in 2007.

Korda's father, Petr, won the 1992 Washington title.

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