PATTAYA (Thailand), Feb 10: Sixth seed Gisela Dulko of Argentina will play unseeded Austrian Sybille Bammer in the final of the Pattaya Open after both players claimed straight-sets victories on Saturday.

Dulko defeated fifth-seeded Indian Sania Mirza 6-4, 7-5, and Bammer upset fourth seed Peng Shuai of China 6-4, 6-2.

Both Dulko and Bammer will be chasing their first major title, with Dulko having contested the 2005 Hobart final and Bammer's previous best career result coming when she reached the semi-finals here last year.

Dulko's battle with Sania was desperately close right from the 11-deuce, 12-minute opening game, during which Dulko failed to convert any of her six break points. The Argentine finally made the breakthrough when Sania netted a forehand to drop serve at 3-3.

Her lead was short-lived as Sania levelled at 4-4, but she immediately regained the advantage, breaking for 5-4 on her third break point before serving out for the set.

Dulko then allowed Sania to take a 2-0 lead in the second set, but she levelled at 2-2, and after both players held off break point opportunities Dulko broke in the 20-point game at 5-5 when Sania double-faulted and then netted a forehand.

Bammer's more aggressive baseline play always gave her the edge over Peng, who lacked energy after suffering from a cold.

A single break at 3-3 was enough to decide the second set, and Bammer then reeled off the last five games of the second for the loss of just six points.

Results(x denotes seeding):

Semi-finals: Sybille Bammer (AUT) bt Peng Shuai (CHN x4) 6-4, 6-2; Gisela Dulko (ARG x6) bt Sania Mirza (IND x5) 6-4, 7-5. –AFP