Osaka Stops Andreescu’s Streak In Beijing, Barty Ousts Kvitova
In a battle of the last two US Open champions, Naomi Osaka put an end to Bianca Andreescu’s 17-match win streak with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win to reach the Beijing semifinals.
The 19-year-old ran out in front 5-1 before Osaka roared back to level in the first. Andreescu hung on to take the last two games and the opener.
Osaka kept the momentum though in the second, finding the rage to force the decider.
Andreescu jumped out ahead 3-1 but Osaka took five of the last six to return to the Beijing semifinals.
“I feel like in the beginning we were just coping each other out,” said Osaka. “I could not find the mental line of not being nervous and also being fired up. That was a bit of a struggle. She was probably thinking,, Wow, what is she doing?… Wow, she won two Grand Slams like that?
“But also I think for me, my game plan going in was to just be the more aggressive player. I can’t be the defensive one. Just trust myself, trust my serve, be aggressively consistent until I have the shot.”
Andreescu suffered her first loss since Miami.
“I forgot how it feels,” said Andreescu of losing. “Honestly, it sucks. I didn’t miss it at all. But at least I didn’t get whooped 1 and 1. I put on a fight. Honestly, it could have went either way. It was just some points here and there. At the same time I am pissed, but at the same time I’m proud of myself with how I played today. I really fought, especially in that last game. Holy crap, that was crazy.”
Osaka will now meet defending champion Caroline Wozniacki who ran through Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 7-6(5).
World No. 1 Ash Barty ousted Petra Kvitova 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. She’ll now face Kiki Bertens who beat Elina Svitolina 7-6(8), 6-2.
“From my opinion, that was one of the highest quality matches I played all year,” Barty said, during her post-match press conference. “Petra always has a way of bringing out the best in me, she really does.”
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