KASATKINA BEATS VENUS TO REACH FINAL

Indian Wells Russia’s Daria Kasatkina won a dramatic semi-final against American Venus Williams after coming back from a set down at the Indian Wells Masters. The 20-year-old overcame her illustrious opponent 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 in two hours and 49 minutes to qualify for Sunday’s final, where she will face Japan’s Naomi Osaka, who stunned world number 1 Simona Halep of Romania in straight sets 6-3, 6-0 in another semi-final, reports Efe. Kasatkina’s victory over Williams was her fourth in a row against major open champions this year at Indian Wells, after she beat Sloane Stephens, Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki, without dropping a set.