Top-seed Pegula battles past Noskova to set up final against Swiatek at Bad Homburg

Jessica Pegula, the top seed, moved into the final of the Bad Homburg Open by defeating Linda Noskova 6-7 (2), 7-5, 6-1.

The American had to fight back from a set down after losing a competitive opener in the resulting tiebreak. A close second followed, with Pegula edging it with a late break, before her Czech opponent faded rapidly in the decider.

Ranked third in the world but the top seed in Bad Homburg, Pegula has reached an impressive fifth WTA final of the year.

She will take on five-time major champion Iga Swiatek, playing in her first grass-court final, next.

The American won against qualifier Katerina Siniakova (6-2, 6-3) and No 5 seed Emma Navarro (6-4, 1-6, 6-3) earlier in the tournament.

In the previous rounds of the Bad Homburg tournament, Noskova, ranked No 30, won against Australian qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic (6-3, 6-2), Croat Donna Vekic (2-6, 6-2, 6-4) and Russian Mirra Andreeva, the No 3 seed (6-3, 6-3).

Bad Homburg WTA 500, other semi-final result (Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, grass, USD 1.064.510):

• Iga Swiatek beat Jasmine Paolini (2): 6-1, 6-3