Krunic powers on in Tokyo after Date tear-jerker

TOKYO: Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic made further progress at the Japan Women’s Open on Wednesday by eliminating seventh seed Alison Riske, a day after ushering local favourite Kimiko Date into retirement.

The world number 67, who conquered her emotions to whitewash the 46- year- old Date on Tuesday, powered to a 6-3, 6-4 win over American Riske in sweltering conditions to

Third seed Elise Mertens also booked her place in the last eight, the Belgian overpowering Poland’s Magda Linette 6-1, 7-5.

In first-round matches, Kurumi Nara upset sixth seed Naomi Osaka 6-3, 6-0 as the next generation of Japanese tennis players took center stage after Date’s tearful exit.

Osaka, who reached the third round of the US Open earlier this month after stunning defending champion Angelique Kerber, left her game in the locker

Osaka. “I didn’t cope with the pressure and I just think emotionally I

Australia’s former US Open winner Samantha Stosur was bundled out by Spain’s Sara Sorribes, who came 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.

Second seed Zhang Shuai safely progressed to the last 16 by thrashing Dutchwoman Richel Hogenkamp 6-3, 6-3 as Tokyo organisers looked to clear a backlog of matches caused by rain on Tuesday.

Japan’s Kimiko Date (left) tries to hug Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia after their first round match of the Japan Women’s Open tennis tournament in Tokyo on Wednesday.