Wozniacki batters Muguruza to reach fourth Pan Pacific final in Tokyo

TOKYO: Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki flattened world number one Garbine Muguruza 6-2, 6-0 on Saturday to reach her fourth Pan Pacific Open final. The Danish former number one will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova as she chases a third Tokyo title after the Russian toppled Angelique Kerber 6-0, 6-7, 6-4 in a see-saw first semi-final.

Top seed Muguruza, playing her first tournament since reaching the top of the women’s world rankings, was blown off court in just under an hour in a stunningly lopsided match.

Third seed Wozniacki tore through the first set, sealing it when Muguruza wafted a routine forehand badly wide. Muguruza cut a forlorn figure as she trudged back to her seat but things went from bad to worse for the Wimbledon champion in the second set.

NADAL, BERDYCH LOSE

PRAGUE: Europe took a 3-1 lead on the first day of the Laver Cup despite Rafael Nadal losing in his doubles encounter. Nadal and Tomas Berdych were beaten 6-3 6-7 (7-9) 10-7 by the World team pairing of Nick Kyrgios and Jack Sock, who prevailed on match tie-break in Prague.

But Europe captain Bjorn Bjorg saw his team dominate the opening day of the inaugural exhibition tournament, with victory in all three singles rubbers over the John McEnroe-led World team even though Roger Federer did not feature amid talk of him playing doubles with Nadal.

Marin Cilic won two tiebreaks in a 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-0) success against Frances Tiafoe.