Mason, Ohio (AHN) - Akiko Morigami beat Akgul Amanmuradova 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 to advance to the finals of the Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open on Saturday.

The tough match featured a fine performance by Amanmuradova who entered the tournament as a qualifier. Morigami could only convert four of her 17 break points in the three set match.

Regardless, the tournament's No. 7 seed advanced to her second finals at this event in the last three years. She will next play the winner of Anna Chakvetadze-Sania Mirza match which was scheduled to begin later on Saturday.

Morigami set herself up for the finals with her second marathon match of the tournament. She needed 2 hours and 48 minutes to win her first round match against Camille Pin and Saturday's tense three-setter lasted 2 hours and 28 minutes.

The competitive matches do not seem to bother the Japanese tennis player's confidence though.

"I just really enjoyed the match," she said. "I had to battle all the way. I had to be mentally tough."

As for her opponent, Amanmuradova was physically spent after the match but she still took great comfort in her performance especially since it was such a surprise after she needed three wins in qualifying matches to even play at the event.

"I can't put my shoulder up anymore, I had a lot of matches-a lot of stress," she said. "Mentally, I'm okay. I played well all week."

Morigami is looking to win her second WTA Tour event. She won her first only a few months ago when she was victorious in an event held in Prague.