Australian eighth seed Daria Gavrilova has saved multiple match points before falling 7-5 6-3 to Kristina Mladenovic in a two-hour semi-final at the Hong Kong Open.

The world No.38, after belting top seed and two-time grand slam champion Angelique Kerber 6-3 6-1 in the quarter-finals, fought to the end on Saturday against Mladenovic, unable to hang on in a 12-minute concluding game.

The Frenchwoman, ranked 54th, will face a Sunday final against fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki or defending champion Jelena Jankovic.