Osaka, Halep reach semi-finals in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) - Former world number one Naomi Osaka reached the semi-finals of the Melbourne Summer Set 1 WTA event yesterday by beating German Andrea Petkovic, while twice Grand Slam champion Simona Halep battled past sixth seed Viktorija Golubic.

Four-times Grand Slam champion Osaka beat Petkovic 6-1 7-5 as the Japanese player fought back from a break down in the second set, sealing victory in one hour 14 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.

The 24-year-old, who struggled for form last year since withdrawing from the French Open in May, will face third seed Veronika Kudermetova in the last four after the Russian beat compatriot Anastasia Potapova 62 4-6 6-0.

“I definitely think I played really well in the first set, and I was really happy about that,” Osaka said. “I feel like it was just a matter of feeling out.