Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova reached her first final since returning from a career-threatening hand injury after Lucie Safarova retired from their match in Birmingham.
Kvitova, 27, was leading 6-1 1-0 in the Aegon Classic semi-final when her fellow Czech quit with a leg injury.
Kvitova is playing in only her second tournament since she was stabbed by an intruder at her home in December.
"I'm enjoying playing again," said the former world number two.
"I couldn't play for five or six months and I missed it.
"It wasn't my choice to have a break but I always try to see positive things.