ZHUHAI, China, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Top seed Kiki Bertens has only one step to take to win the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai after surviving from a marathon semifinal with wildcard Zheng Saisai here on Saturday.
It took the Dutch player two hours and 30 minutes to overcome the home favorite 2-5, 6-3 and 6-4 to reach the final.
"Before the match, it's just really like getting all the energy together and just trying to give it all. And that's what I've been doing all week," Bertens said after the match.
Bertens will play Aryna Sabalenka in the final, who beat Karolina Muchova 7-5, 7-6(4) in the other semifinal.
"I think every day I'm surprising myself what's still in me, still the fighting spirit. I only can hope that I can have it one more time tomorrow," the 27-year-old added.
From a set and a break down at 6-2, 2-1, Bertens won nine of the next 11 games, to tie the match at one set all and build a 4-1 lead in the decider.
Powered by the support of home fans, Zheng fought back and capped three straight games with a 13-minute break of the Bertens' serve to level the final set at 4-4.
However, the world No.10 recovered and won the last two games, sealing victory after Zheng's forehand found the net.
"It's a pretty close match and even though I didn't play the right moments, the right way, but I'm happy I was fighting until the end," Zheng said.