Safarova advances to both finals in Charleston

Lucie Safarova high-fives partner Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova after their doubles win

Czech player Lucie Safarova advanced today to both the singles and doubles final at the Family Circle Cup. Safarova had an unusual day, by any standard. In her singles semifinal, she defeated Ponlona Hercog 6-0, 6-0. After she got some rest, Safarova returned to the court and--with partner Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova--won a thriller tiebreak against top seeds Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond. That 11-9 tiebreak gave Safarova and Pavlyuchenkova not only the second set, but the match; they won the first set 6-4.

In the other doubles semifinal, Anabel Medina Garrigues and Yaroslava Shvedova defeated Natalie Grandin and Vladimira Uhlirova 6-1, 6-3. 

Safarova and Pavlyuchenkova received a wild card into the tournament. In singles, Safarova is seeded 9th. She will play 5th seed Serena Williams for the 2012 championship.

Last year, Elena Vesnina of Russia also made it to both finals in Charleston. Vesnina lost the singles final, but--with partner Sania Mirza--won the doubles championship.

 Safarova prepares to hit autographed balls into the stands

Medina Garrigues and Shvedova embrace after winning today