BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 05: Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia returns a shot against Madison Keys of the United States during her Women's singles third round match on day five of the 2016 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 5, 2016 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images)
Svetlana Kuznetsova is one victory away from denying Britain’s Johanna Konta a place in the WTA Finals after reaching the final of the Kremlin Cup.
Konta, 25, currently occupies the eighth and final spot for the tournament, which begins on Sunday in Singapore.
Kuznetsova must win the Kremlin Cup to overtake the British No. 1, who is recovering from an injury.
The 31-year-old Russian defeated Ukraine’s fourth-ranked Elina Svitolina 6-1 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 to advance to the final.
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The top seed will face World No. 49 Daria Gavrilova after the Australian defeated Germany’s Julia Goerges 7-5 6-1 in the second semi-final.
Konta jumped up to eighth in the rankings following the withdrawal of World No. 2 Serena Williams.
Konta was present for the WTA Finals draw in Singapore on Friday, when she was named most improved player for 2016.
If she qualifies, she will face Agnieszka Radwanska, Karolina Pliskova and Garbine Muguruza in the group stage.
Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep, Madison Keys and Dominika Cibulkova form the other group.
Kuznetsova is the only player who can deny Konta a place in the Finals, since ninth-ranked Carla Suarez Navarro retired early with a wrist injury after round two of the Kremlin Cup.
In the men’s event, Fabio Fognini upset second-seeded Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2, 6-2 to face in the semis third-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany, who beat Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil 6-4, 6-2.
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 05: Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia returns a shot against Madison Keys of the United States during her Women’s singles third round match on day five of the 2016 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 5, 2016 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images)
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