Nicole Vaidisova's French Open adventure ended in tears on Thursday when she choked badly in a 5-7, 7-6, 6-2 semi-final defeat by Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova.
The 17-year-old Czech, who had knocked out world number one Amelie Mauresmo and Venus Williams on her way to the last four, controlled the match for almost two sets and served for victory at 5-4 in the second before suffering a dramatic collapse.
Vaidisova had never been beyond round four of a Grand Slam before and a stream of unforced errors allowed eighth seed Kuznetsova to win the second set tiebreak 7-5 and then rattle through the decider.
The Russian confirmed her victory with an ace and in Saturday's final the 2004 U.S. Open champion will face defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne who outclassed her compatriot Kim Clijsters 6-3, 6-2.
Vaidisova left the arena with nothing but tears and sympathy.
"I think I benefited from my experience," said the 20-year-old Kuznetsova. "I've played more often on centre court than she has and I knew it was possible to turn the match around."
Vaidisova's forehand power troubled Kuznetsova from the start but the stocky Russian scurried doggedly at the baseline and led 5-3 in the first set.
FOREHAND ERRORS
The Czech, however, won the longest rally of the match with a backhand winner to reach break point, provoking an unexpected roar from the centre court spectators.
It knocked the stuffing out of Kuznetsova and she netted forehands to lose successive service games and another forehand error handed Vaidisova the first set.
The tall teenager seemed in control of her emotions and on course for victory after breaking in the first game of the second set.
When she served for the match at 5-4, however, her game fell apart. After successive forehand errors Vaidisova double-faulted to lose her service.
In the tiebreak Kuznetsova led 4-1 before Vaidisova fought back to 5-5. However another over-hit forehand gave Kuznetsova set point and a similarly over-cooked backhand allowed the Russian to level the match.
Kuznetsova scented blood and immediately broke at the start of the second set as, for the first time in the match, Vaidisova began to show visible signs of frustration.
Another unforced error left the Czech scratching the clay with her racket court in dismay and suddenly she was 3-0 down.
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