Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elina Vesnina to contest Indian Wells final

Svetlana Kuznetsova has earned a place in the Indian Wells Masters final after she recorded a straight-sets win over Karolina Pliskova.

The experienced Russian has enjoyed a fine week in California and she remains on course to make it third time lucky at the tournament after beating her opponent 7-6 7-6.

Both players recorded three breaks of serve in a closely-fought contest, but it was the 2007 and 2008 runner-up who held her nerve to progress through to the final.

She will now play compatriot and 14th seed Elina Vesnina, who recorded a 6-3 6-4 victory to get the better of 28th seed Kristina Mladenovic.