Sara Errani and Barbora Strycova reach final in Dubai

The final of the Dubai Tennis Championships will be contested by Sara Errani and Barbora Strycova after both advanced from last-four encounters on Friday.

Errani, runner-up at this tournament three years ago, eased past Elina Svitolina in straight sets, while Strycova overcame a second-set wobble to see off Caroline Garcia in a match that went the distance.

World number 22 Errani broke Svitolina five times in all during her 6-4 6-4 success, recovering from 3-1 down in the second set as the Ukrainian threatened a comeback which ultimately failed to materialise.

But it turned out to be a day of mixed fortunes for Errani, who subsequently lost her doubles semi-final alongside Carla Suarez Navarro.

Strycova, meanwhile, looked in a good position to claim a straight-sets win as she moved 2-0 up in the second, only for Garcia to reel off three successive breaks and force a decider.

But Strycova rediscovered her poise in the final set and saw out a 6-2 3-6 6-3 triumph to raise hopes of a first WTA crown since September 2011.