Kvitova pummels Wozniacki to reach Dubai final

By Matt Smith

DUBAI (Reuters) - Former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova pummeled Caroline Wozniacki 6-3 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Dubai Championships on Friday, while Sara Errani defeated doubles partner Roberta Vinci 6-3 6-3 in an all-Italian showdown.

Kvitova, 22, has yet to drop a set in Dubai, the world No.8 returning to form after failing to win more than two matches at any other tournament this year.

The left-hander will also go into Saturday's final as favorite, having won all three previous matches against Errani.

Against former world number one Wozniacki, Kvitova was comfortable in the opening set, being taken to deuce only once and saving the two break points she faced.

Wozniacki found it harder going, losing the opening game as Kvitova dispatched venomous ground strokes from the baseline that the stooping Dane failed to control.

This allowed the Czech to put away a succession of volleyed winners as she raced to the net.

"She was trying to ... put the balls back - I am the person who is playing aggressively and going for the winners," Kvitova told reporters. "I can play quite fast from the forehand, it's my big stroke."

Receiving at 5-3 ahead, Kvitova left her opponent flat-footed with the power and depth of her return and the Dane could not find enough elevation on her backhand reply.