Osaka rising! Japanese makes semis

MONTREAL: Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka advanced to the semifinals of the WTA Canadian Open on Tuesday with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-2 triumph over 10th seed Elina Svitolina.

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Osaka, chasing her first WTA Tour-level title since the 2021 Australian Open, needed only 68 minutes to dispatch the Ukraine star and book a semifinal with Danish 16th seed Clara Tauson, who stunned reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys 6-1, 6-4.

“Pm just having a lot of fun playing. I’m glad to be here,’ Osaka said.

“I think I'll be seeded in the US Open because I won my match. That was a really good goal for me. I’m just really excited”

Tauson dedicated her victory to her late grandfather, who died on Sunday as the Dane was dispatching Polish second seed Iga Swiatek, who won her sixth Grand Slam title last month at Wimbledon.

“Two days ago, my grandfather unfortunately passed away, so I really wanted to win for him today,’ a tearful Tauson said after beating US sixth seed Keys.