(Bois-Le-Duc) In a match featuring two former US Open women’s singles champions, Canadian Bianca Andreescu defeated Japanese Naomi Osaka in three sets of 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (3) to qualify for the semi-finals of the grass court tournament in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
Posted at 2:39 p.m.
A little earlier in this third set, the 23-year-old Ontarian had missed a great opportunity to end the duel while she was leading 5-3 and holding the serve.
Winner in 2019 at Flushing Meadows, between the Osaka triumphs in 2018 and 2020, Andreescu won the last five points of the tiebreaker of the final set, including three on the Japanese’s serve.
“These are the reasons why we play this sport,” Andreescu said. Winning matches against players like that really shows me where my level is. I don’t want to project too far ahead because every day is different. I want to absorb it all and use it to my advantage. »
Andreescu won the opening set with a break of serve in the seventh game, which she consolidated by winning the next four points.
The second set took on a different look when Osaka won the first five games.
PHOTO SANDER KONING, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Naomi Osaka
“It was expected of Naomi,” Andreescu said. Sometimes she will play incredible games and sometimes not so much. The key for me was to stay consistent as much as possible. My return goal today was to send the ball to the other side of the net and take advantage of the second serve. »
Andreescu attempted a comeback, even managing a break of serve in the seventh game, but Osaka closed the door in the ninth game.
In the semi-final, Andreescu will battle Hungarian Dalma Galfi.
The Ontarian is participating in her second tournament after a 10-month absence due to a back injury. She started the tournament at 228e world rank.
Osaka had 33 winners, including seven aces, compared to 18 for Andreescu. The Canadian, however, only committed 16 unforced errors, 20 fewer than her opponent.
“I’m not giving up,” Andreescu said. I ran a lot today. More than her, I’m sure. I really wanted this victory today and I think it made the difference. »
On the men’s side, Canadian Milos Raonic lost in two sets of 7-5, 6-2 against Australian Alex de Minaur in a quarter-final duel.
