Kanepi will be trying for a second title after rallying to eliminate Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3.
The eighth-seeded Cibulkova reaches her second straight final after losing to Petra Kvitova in Linz, Austria, on Sunday.
The 20th-ranked Slovak, who is winless in three WTA final appearances, dominated her 64th-ranked Russian opponent, scoring seven break points and taking it on the first match point when Vesnina smashed into the net.
"I started very well and was playing too fast for her and that's why she (Vesnina) was making mistakes," Cibulkova said.
Vesnina had advanced to her first semifinal at the home event after Marion Bartoli of France withdrew with a viral illness from their quarterfinal match on Friday.
"A day off hasn't helped me," Vesnina said. "A couple of close games in the first set but I played with no confidence." After trading sets, the 43rd-ranked Kanepi jumped out 5-2 before Safarova saved two match points on her way to breaking the Estonian.
Safarova had to fend off two more match points on her ensuing serve but eventually netted a forehand to lose.
In the men's draw, top-seeded Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia plays three-time champion Nikolay Davydenko, and defending champion Viktor Troicki of Serbia faces Jeremy Chardy of France.
Cibulkova faces Kanepi in Kremlin Cup final
Publication Date:
Sat, 2011-10-22 23:26
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