General / Editor / 07 April 2007 /

Nadia Petrova is looking to break new ground in her career after booking her place in the final of the Bausch & Lomb Championships in Florida.

The top seed edged a tight first set in a tie-break against Sybille Bammer but cruised through the second to win 7-6 (7-4) 6-1.

After beating Francesca Schiavone in last year's final, the Russian now gets the chance to defend a title for the first time in her career.

The 24-year-old is obviously excited about the prospect and said: "It would be something special for me and a new step in my career so I can prove something else to myself.

"If I do it once I can do it a second time in a row. It would be a great feeling if I can do it."

However, in order to succeed, Petrova will have to overcome an opponent who she has struggled against in the past.

Eighth seed Tatiana Golovin booked her place in the final after a tough battle against Ana Ivanovic, coming through 6-4 3-6 6-4, and the Frenchwoman holds a 4-1 lead in head-to-heads against Petrova, the most recent of which came at Indian Wells last month.

Punters appear to believe that the Russian ace will emerge triumphant this time though as she is a strong 1.47 favourite, with Golovin on offer at 3.05.

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