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Paul Ryding

Centre court sizzled at Victoria Park yesterday as Angelique Kerber and Jelena Jankovic confirmed their places in the final of the Prudential Hong Kong Open with scintillating displays.
With the afternoon sun blazing down, Kerber was first up and inflicted a dominating 6-2, 6-2 win on the luckless Samantha Stosur.
Later, in front of the first full house of the week at the US$250,000 tournament, Venus Williams' run was ended 6-4, 7-5 by fourth seed Jelena Jankovic.
I felt like I was actually hitting the ball really well and setting up a lot of points, but wasn't able to execute the chances I was creating for myself
Sam Stosur
Australian Stosur was unfortunate in that she came up against an opponent who allowed absolutely no margin for error. On another day, against another opponent, Stosur may have gone closer.
"She was very solid today and played very well," said the 30-year-old.
"I felt like I was actually hitting the ball really well and setting up a lot of points, but wasn't able to execute the chances I was creating for myself."

WATCH: Sam Stosur struggles against Angelique Kerber in their semi-final
Kerber was pleased with bringing the watertight challenge of Stosur to heel in such overwhelming fashion.
"I feel good after this match," said the German, who moved to within one win of a guaranteed place at the WTA Finals in Singapore. "I played good tennis today and it's always tough to play against Sam."

The first set lasted a little over 30 minutes. Stosur held in the opener, but then suffered a barrage from the world number nine, who reeled off five games on the spin.
After shipping the first set in her quarter-final match earlier this week, Stosur spoke of a moment, when she set about changing her fortunes. As the second set wore on, opportunities for that moment became fewer.
Kerber was relentless and got the luck, too. Anything narrow fell her way and midway through the second set, Stosur may have sensed it wasn't to be her day.
It was probably one of the best matches of the year from her. She just couldn't miss today
Venus Williams 
As the former US Open champion's belief began to ebb away, misjudged forehands became a signature of her play.
Popular with the Hong Kong crowd, she was urged on, and a mini fightback flickered as she grabbed a foothold.
"I was trying to come back - I felt like the crowd was really behind me," said Stosur. "But I wasn't quite able to do the same as I did yesterday [against Heather Watson]."
It was little more than a stay of execution, however, and the German lopped off her challenge in just over 70 minutes.

WATCH: Venus Williams battle it out against Serb Jelena Jankovic for a place in the final  
The sun was retreating over centre court as Jankovic and Williams entered the arena. Evenly matched at six wins apiece, few might have expected how even it was in the early stages as they steadily moved to 4-4 without a break in serve.
Williams was the first to blink, a spate of double faults gifting the Serbian first blood.
The American dug deep in game 10, and almost broke back, but Jankovic held firm to register the first set. With the chips down, Williams reeled off three straight games to buy some breathing space at the start of the second set.

But just as Williams found the heart to drive herself on when needed in the tournament, Jankovic had the class to punish lacklustre play and she did so often in the following two games to move back to 3-2.
Both players then held serve as the early rhythm was restored and the match edged towards the two-hour mark. But for the first time this week, Williams' tank seemed empty. She surrendered her serve to allow Jankovic to 4-4.
Both held in the following two games, before Jankovic made good use of a second match point to seal her place in the final.
"It was a good match for me," said Jankovic.
"I fought hard and playing against Venus is never an easy task."

WATCH: Seven-time grand slam singles winner Venus Williams discuss life after tennis
Williams was disappointed not to extend her season, and blamed bad luck for the defeat.
"It was probably one of the best matches of the year from her," said Williams. "She just couldn't miss today. You can usually expect a few more errors from her, but she had good rhythm today, so it's just bad luck."



Back again: Prudential confirms partnership as Hong Kong Tennis Open sponsor

Hong Kong Tennis Open can be Asia's answer to Wimbledon or the Australian Open, say organisers  

'I can still beat the best': Jelena Jankovic crowned champion at Hong Kong Tennis Open 

Jelena Jankovic wins the Hong Kong Tennis Open with a three-set win over Angelique Kerber

Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2015

Angelique Kerber sets up final Hong Kong Open showdown with Jelena Jankovic 

Germany's Angelique Kerber accounts for Australian Samantha Stosur 6-2, 6-2. Photos: Sam Tsang

Serbian Jelena Jankovic works hard to record a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Venus Williams in the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open.

Venus Williams hits a return shot against Jelena Jankovic. Photo: AP 

Samantha Stosur of Australia hits a return shot against Angelique Kerber of Germany. Photo: AP

Sport

Hong Kong

Tennis

German and Serb will fight it out for title after posting contrasting victories against seasoned opponents Venus Williams and Sam Stosur, respectively


Centre court sizzled at Victoria Park yesterday as Angelique Kerber and Jelena Jankovic confirmed their places in the final of the Prudential Hong Kong Open with scintillating displays.
