By Chris Davies
May 23 2003

Sprem reaches the final at Strasbourg carrying on her fantastic run at this tournament when she beat hot Russian Vera Zvonareva in a entertaining match

Sprem ranked at number 163 in the world compared to 22 of Zvonareva showed her class over the power player coming back from a first set loss 6-3. The Croatian has had to come through qualifying to enter the main draw and has also beat top seed Jelena Dokic in the second round playing 7 matches won the next two sets 6-3, 6-4 and will play the defending champion Silvia Farina Elia.

Ashley Harkleroad put on a brave fight against Farina Elia who has won this tournament last two years running. Harkleroad the 8th seed claimed the first set 6-2 only for the Italian to claim the second 6-3. The final set was very tight with both players able to win a place in the final but the more experienced Elia claimed it 7-5.


Semi-Final Results

Karolina Sprem (CRO) bt (6) Vera Zvonareva (RUS)
3-6, 6-3, 6-4

(7)Silvia Farina Elia (ITA) bt (8) Ashley Harkleroad (USA)
2-6, 6-3, 7-5