Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova stunned an injury-hit Lindsay Davenport 1-6 6-2 6-4 at the US Open on Friday to reach her first grand slam final and end the American's hopes of regaining the world number one ranking.
The ninth seed began nervously as former champion Davenport romped through the first set but Kuznetsova, who had not lost a set in reaching the last four, lifted her game to level the match.
Fifth seed Davenport had an injury time-out at the start of the deciding set on a left hip injury she suffered in practice before the match, but bounced back to lead 3-0 only for the 19-year-old Kuznetsova to level at 3-3.
A huge backhand in the ninth game gave Kuznetsova the vital break and she held her nerve for victory.
"I don't really believe it," Kuznetsova said. "Lindsay played so well in the first set and I was just trying to hang in there.
"I will be ready for tomorrow night."
Kuznetsova will now play either fellow Russian and sixth seed Elena Dementieva or American Jennifer Capriati, the seventh seed, in the final.
{{/usCountry}}Kuznetsova will now play either fellow Russian and sixth seed Elena Dementieva or American Jennifer Capriati, the seventh seed, in the final.
{{/usCountry}}The ninth seed is the first Russian woman to ever reach the US Open final and the third different Russian to reach a grand slam final this year.
Anastasia Myskina beat Dementieva to win the French Open while Maria Sharapova triumphed at Wimbledon.
Davenport's defeat means Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo will be the new world number one when the rankings are released on Monday, replacing Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne at the top.