Russian Elena Vesnina has progressed through to the final of the Hobart International following an emphatic semi-final victory over American teenager Sloane Stephens.

World No.68 Vesnina upset Stephens 6-2 6-2 in 69 minutes on Friday afternoon and is eying her first WTA title in her seventh tour final.

The 26-year-old took control of the match from the outset, breaking the 19-year-old American’s serve in the opening game and racing to a 5-0 lead after just 19 minutes.

The powerful Stephens, ranked No.29 in the world, saved three set points but her comeback was shortlived.

The wily Vesnina eliminated Australian wildcard Jarmila Gajdosova in the quarter-finals by effectively using the windy conditions to her advantage and, once again, played the conditions perfectly.

She will meet the winner of Friday night’s semi-final between defending champion Mona Barthel and Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens in Saturday’s tournament decider.