New York (AFP)
Japan's Naomi Osaka, 10th player in the world, qualified Wednesday for her first semi-final of the Cincinnati tournament, relocated to Flushing Meadows, beating Estonian Anett Kontaveit, 20th in the world, 4-6, 6-2, 7 -5.
Osaka put in a set to enter his match, surprised by an aggressive opponent from the baseline who often made him run.
His second round also started badly. But after being broken from the start, she pulled herself together, relying on a better first ball, lining up nine straight games to tie a set all over and lead 3-0 in the third.
What Kontaveit, 20th in the world, did not let down, winning four of the next five games to tie at 4-4. Osaka ended up making the difference on his second match point in the 12th game.
She will face in the semifinals the Belgian Elise Bertens, 22nd in the world, who easily beat the American Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-3.
© 2020 AFP