Sports
Japan’s Naomi Osaka beats Giorgi to enter Tokyo final
Japan ’ s Naomi Osaka crushed Italian Camila Giorgi 6 – 2 , 6 -3 in Tokyo on Saturday to set up a Pan Pacific Open final against Czech Karolina Pliskova.Third seed Osaka needed just 71 minutes to complete her 10 th straight win after capturing a historic US Open title earlier this month .
Former world number one Pliskova beat Croatia ’ s Donna Vekic 6 – 2 , 4 -6 , 6 – 3 but took well over two hours to get the job done .
Osaka , however , made quick work of a dangerous opponent who had knocked out top seed and defending champion Caroline Wozniacki , breaking twice in a one – sided first set which she took with a blistering forehand down the line .
The 20 – year – old , who has climbed to seventh in the world rankings since her stunning victory over Serena Williams in New York , piled on the pressure in the second .
A brutal Osaka forehand forced a break in the fifth game , before a vicious backhand return forced Giorgi to whiff a shot beyond the baseline on match point .
“ I was pretty nervous because I really wanted to get to the final , ” said 2016 runner – up Osaka , who fired down nine aces in a dominant display .
“ She was playing really well and I felt like I was just trying to survive . But I served really well and that got me out of a lot of trouble today .
“ If she ’ s on , it would ’ ve been almost impossible to beat her , ” added Osaka . “ The only thing that I could do is play as well as I can and hope for the best . ”
Fourth seed Pliskova took just 12 minutes to secure a 4 – 0 lead before closing out the first set with one of her 11 aces .
Vekic hit back to take the second as Pliskova’ s serve imploded , the world number eight blotting her copybook with seven double – faults , many of them coming on key points .
But Pliskova snaffled an early break in the decider and hung on to reach her first Tokyo final , a forehand rocket ending her opponent ’ s spirited resistance .
“ That was tough and I was lucky to win, ” admitted Pliskova, who is chasing an 11 th career title .
“ I ’ ve never been in a final in Japan and the last one is always the toughest . But at least you know you can put everything into it . You don’ t get to play a final every week so I want to enjoy it .
“ Naomi is playing with confidence , ” added Pliskova. “ I have my weapons , she also has some . But I believe I have a chance . ”
Osaka will be aiming to scoop her third WTA Tour singles crown after her breakthrough at Indian Wells in March and remarkable US Open victory .
( AFP )
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