Saturday 23 May 2015 08:48, UK
Roberta Vinci will meet Karin Knapp in an all-Italian final of the Nurnberger Versicherungscup on Saturday.
Fourth seed Vinci was handed a place in the final after home hope Angelique Kerber, whose run to the semi-finals had delighted the German crowd, withdrew from their scheduled clash.
The second seed was struggling with a back injury and felt obliged to save herself for the French Open.
Kerber told wtatour.com: "The walk down to the court was the hardest walk of the week for me. It's not easy because the tournament is dear to my heart, and I always enjoy playing in front of a home audience.
"But I have to take care of my body, especially in light of Roland Garros next week."
Vinci will compete for her 10th WTA Tour title against compatriot Knapp, seeded sixth, who beat Spain's Lara Arruabarrena 6-0 6-2.
Arruabarrena's only flurry of success came in coming from a break down to level the second set at 2-2 before Knapp pulled away once more.
Vinci said: "It will be a tough final, for sure. We're both Italian and we're friends, but it's a final and we'll both play to win."
