Naomi Osaka of Japan in action during her women’s singles quarter-final match against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark at the China Open in Beijing October 4, 2019. — Reuters pic
BEIJING, Oct 5 — Naomi Osaka will face world number one Ashleigh Barty in tomorrow’s final of the China Open after powering to a convincing win over title-holder Caroline Wozniacki.
The Australian Open winner threw off some initial frustrations to emphatically end Wozniacki’s reign in Beijing with a 6-4, 6-2 victory in 84 minutes.
The 21-year-old Japanese, who on Friday ended Bianca Andreescu’s run of 17 wins in a row, took time to settle against Denmark’s Wozniacki.
World number four Osaka showed flashes of irritation as she let Wozniacki off the hook at 3-3 in the first set, tossing her racquet on the floor.
But in the ninth game, the pressure on the 19th-ranked Wozniacki told, Osaka grabbing the all-important break of service with an arrowing forehand.
Osaka, like Wozniacki a former number one, broke her opponent at the start of the second set to underline her superiority, before racing to a thumping win.
Earlier today, Australia’s Barty booked her place in the final by saving match point in a tough three-set triumph over Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands. — AFP