• Rome Masters

Serena sets up Errani final in Rome

Sara Errani will face defending champion Serena Williams in Sunday's final © Getty Images

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Sara Errani became the first home player to reach the Rome Masters final in nearly 30 years on Saturday and she'll face world No.1 Serena Williams for the trophy.

Using vocal crowd support to her advantage, the Errani fought back from a 4-1 deficit in the second set for a 6-3 7-5 win over Jelena Jankovic.

Williams overcame a second-set lapse to beat 11th-seeded Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 and gain a measure of revenge for a fourth-round loss to the Serb at this year's Australian Open.

Williams is aiming for her third Rome title, having won this clay-court tune-up for Roland Garros in 2002 and last year. The American has never lost in her six meetings with Errani and lost just one game in their last match, in the semi-finals of last year's French Open.

Serena Williams saw off Ana Ivanovic on Saturday © Getty Images

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Errani drew emotion from the crowd.

"There were a few moments when I thought I might not pull it off but the fans were huge," said Errani, who is attempting to become the first Italian to win the tournament since Raffaella Reggi took the 1985 title in Taranto.

The last Italian man to win was Adriano Panatta back in 1976.

It's already Errani's best result since reaching the 2012 French Open final, and gives her momentum heading back to Roland Garros next week.

Jankovic, the 2007 and 2008 Rome champion, repeatedly asked the chair umpire to come down and check marks but none of them were overturned, resulting only in the crowd stepping up its encouragement for Errani.

"Just do it, Sara. Just do it, Sara," the fans cheered late in the second set.

The highly partisan crowd frequently applauded Errani while points were still being played and cheered even when Jankovic double faulted.

"[The crowd] was all on her side but it's normal, she's the local player," Jankovic said. "I tried to stay focused on my game, and play my tennis but she was the better player today."

Errani also reached the doubles final and her partner Roberta Vinci sat in her box. Her parents and brother were on hand, too.

"Having them here is key," Errani said. "They give me that extra motivation so I'm not just playing for myself but for them, too, and that makes me even stronger."

Known for her consistency, Errani committed just 11 unforced errors to Jankovic's 28.

Jankovic attempted to attack Errani's abbreviated serving style but she had more trouble on her own serve, and faced 16 break points - five of which Errani converted.

"She's not going to give you free points," Jankovic said. "She keeps making you hit and hit and I needed to come more to the net and finish those points. When I was doing that I was winning but when I stopped she took advantage."

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