Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova fended off a second-set fight back to beat Kirsten Flipkens 6-3 3-6 6-2 and a book her spot in the final of the Generali Ladies Linz.

Seventh seed Pavlyuchenkova is the highest ranked player left in the tournament and is looking for her eighth career WTA title.

The Russian appeared comfortable after wrapping up the first set in 37 minutes on Saturday, but she was broken three times in a poor second set as Flipkens levelled the match.

However, the Belgian was unable to capitalise on the momentum as Pavlyuchenkova won five straight games to take a 5-1 lead in the decider, before serving out at the first time of asking.

Awaiting in the final is Anna-Lena Friedsam, who upset the odds to defeat Johanna Larsson in the other semi.

Larsson, who was hoping to win a second title of the season, is ranked 59 places above Friedsam but it was the German who lasted the distance in a 6-3 4-6 7-5 victory.