Sports Announcer Andy Taylor | The Voice of the US Open | US Open
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[20] Naomi Osaka -19- (JPN) def Lesia Tsurenko -36- (UKR) | 61 61
For the first time in 22-years, a woman representing Japan will compete in the Semifinals of a Major | Kimiko Date, 1996 Wimbledon Championships. Tonight, as she’s done for the past 10-days, 20-year-old Naomi Osaka completely disassembled her opponent.
How solid has the World #19 been this week in Flushing? After quick victories in the first two rounds, she dismissed World #33 Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 60 60 in just 50-minutes. It’s not like Sasnovich didn’t have chances – she actually had four break opportunities during the match – but Osaka has been relentless, quickly snapping-back after every slight slip.
In the Round of 16, Naomi faced another surging Belarussian, World #20 Aryna Sabalenka. It was Osaka’s first real test of the tournament. She dropped the second set, but won the decider 64.
Tonight’s match was a first for both Osaka and Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko. Neither had won four consecutive matches at a Major. Though Naomi admitted that she was trembling before the match, she displayed no nerves whatsoever on court, allowing Tsurenko only a single game each set.
In just under an hour, Osaka earned a spot in the US Open’s Final Four. Perhaps Naomi’s experience last year on Arthur Ashe Stadium gave her the edge. If you remember, she upset defending champion Angelique Kerber in the 1st-Round.
NEXT: [20] Naomi Osaka -19- (JPN) vs [14] Madison Keys -14- (USA)
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] QF: def Lesia Tsurenko -36- (UKR) 61 61 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R4: def [26] Aryna Sabalenka -20- (BLR) 63 26 64 | Louis Armstrong Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R3: def Aliaksandra Sasnovich -33- (BLR) 60 60 | Grandstand
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R2: def Julia Glushko -162- (ISR) 62 60 | Court 17
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R1: def Laura Siegemund -188- (GER) 63 62 | Grandstand
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[20] Naomi Osaka -19- (JPN)
Last year, she earned the first top-10 win of her career right here in Arthur Ashe Stadium, defeating defending champion Angelique Kerber in the 1st-Round. This afternoon, she’s back – competing in her first-ever Grand Slam Quarterfinal. Earlier this year, she captured her maiden WTA Singles title at Indian Wells, defeating World #5 Karolina Pliskova, then World #1 Simona Halep to reach the championship match. She reached the Round of 16 at a Grand Slam for the first time at this year’s Australian Open, and by July climed to a career-high ranking of World #17. Competing in her 3rd US Open – from Japan, please welcome…Naomi Osaka.
Lesia Tsurenko -36- (UKR)
Last week, she earned the biggest win of her career, defeating World #2 and 2-time US Open Finalist Caroline Wozniacki in the Second Round. On Monday – down a set and a break – she came back to defeat Marketa Vondrousova to reach tonight’s Quarterfinal. Ranked as high as World #29 – earlier this year, she won her 4th WTA Singles title in Acapulco, reached the 4th-Round at Roland Garros for the first time, and over the Summer – defeated World #9 Garbine Muguruza in Cincinnati. She now owns 7 career victories over top-10 oppponents, and tonight – is competing in her first Grand Slam Quarterfinal. From Ukraine, please welcome…Lesia Tsurenko.
