American teen Krueger to play top-seeded Maria in Veneto Open final

GAIBA, Italy (AP) — Ashlyn Krueger won the showdown of American teenagers at the Veneto Open on Saturday to set up a final against top-seeded Tatjana Maria of Germany.

The 19-year-old Krueger rallied to beat 18-year-old Robin Montgomery 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-2 after 2 hours, 20 minutes.

Krueger and Montgomery won the girls' doubles together at the U.S. Open in 2021.

Maria entered the world rankings two years before Krueger was born.

The 35-year-old Maria, who reached the Wimbledon semifinals last year, dominated her semifinal against fourth-seeded Olga Danilovic — the daughter of former pro basketball player Predrag Danilovic — 6-1, 6-3.

"I really played a great match, staying focused from the first to last point," Maria said. "I adore playing on grass, because it brings out my tennis. This is always the part of the season I prefer.

"I will prepare for the final the best way possible with my husband (coach Charles-Edouard Maria) and I hope I can manage to win the title at a tournament I really like."

It's the second year of the Veneto Open, the first WTA tournament played on natural grass in Italy. The courts are made on former soccer fields.

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