Yanina Wickmayer and Magda Linette advanced to the Japan Women's Open final with tough wins on Saturday.

Wickmayer overcame Croatian seventh seed Ajla Tomljanovic 7-5 6-2 in their semi-final of the WTA International event played on hard-courts in Tokyo.

As Tomljanovic squandered all five of her break points, Wickmayer managed to convert three of 10 to progress.

The final will mark Wickmayer's 10th on the WTA Tour, having won three titles but lost four consecutive deciders.

The Belgian is aiming for her first title since winning in Auckland in 2010.

Linette found it trickier but also managed to eliminate a seed, getting past American sixth seed Christina McHale 3-6 6-4 6-3.

The Pole dominated the third seed and always looked the more likely victor against a player ranked 24 spots above her.

In her only previous final, Linette took out the Ningbo International Women's Open last year.