Osaka eases into Tokyo semifinals, Azarenka retires
TOKYO: Japan’s Naomi Osaka exuded a major champion’s aura Friday as she dispatched Barbora Strycova 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Pan Pacific Open semi-finals on Friday.
The third seed, who stunned Serena Williams to capture the US Open title earlier this month, failed to hit the same heights she did on that historic night in New York.
But she still had too much firepower for Strycova in Tokyo, advancing to face Italy’s Camila Giorgi in the last four.
Giorgi, who knocked out top seed and defending champion Caroline Wozniacki on Thursday, was leading former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka 5-3 when the Belarusian retired with stomach pain.
FORMER CHAMP FOUND GUILTY OF FIXING
PARIS: Former Australian Open junior champion Oliver Anderson was convicted of match-fixing on Friday after admitting deliberately losing a set during an ATP tournament in 2016.
The now 20-year-old has been banned since February 2017, meaning he is now free to play again as his 19-month suspension has been served.
DAVIS CUP FINAL
PARIS: Reigning Davis Cup champions France will return to Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy for the final clash against Croatia from November 23-25.
The stadium, home of French Ligue 1 football club Lille, also hosted last year’s final against Belgium, and the semi-final win over Spain last weekend.
France lost the 2014 final to a Switzerland team inspired by Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka at the same venue.