Intro:

Teliana Pereira holds her nerve to beat Anastasija Sevastova 6-3 7-5 and reach the final of the Brazil Tennis Cup, on Friday (31st July).

Script:

The first semi-final of the Brazil Tennis Cup saw local favourite Teliana Pereira face Latvian Anastasija Sevastova.

Sevastova asserted her dominance early on, owning the first game of the opening set.

But Pereira fought back, to take the first set 6-3.

In the second set, both players struggled to hold serve, and it wasn't until the fifth game that Sevastova finally did so, to lead at 3-2.

Pereira showed some grit, and came back with a break of serve of her own, to go 5-3 up.

Sevastova never regained her composure, as the 27 year old closed the match out in straight-sets 6-3 7-5.

The result adds to what has been a break through season for Pereira, currently the world number 74.

She recently became the first Brazilian to win a WTA title in 27 years followingBrazil her triumph in Bogota.

Her victory in Florianopolis means she can now look forward to a match-up in the final against Annika Beck.

The two have faced up against each other twice before, with both occassions being on clay, taking one victory each.

The most recent of which went to Beck.

While Beck is currently higher in the world rankings, Pereira will be spurred on by home support.