Ashlyn Krueger, a 19-year-old Dallas resident ranked No. 123 in the world, reached her first career WTA semifinal Friday when she defeated Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-1 at the Japan Open in Osaka.
Krueger uncorked 11 aces to Kalinskaya’s two and saved all three break points she faced. She won 29 of her 35 first-service points (82.9 percent).
Krueger, who upset eighth seed Kateryna Baindl of Ukraine in the first round, has yet to drop a set in this tournament. Her semifinal opponent will be Mai Hontama of Japan, who rallied to defeat Dutch opponent Arianne Hartono 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-1.
The other semifinal will pit Chinese natives Lin Zhu and Xinyu Wang, the first and third seeds, respectively. Zhu eased past American Elizabeth Mandlik 6-3, 6-2 in the quarters, and Wang got past No. 6 seed Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 7-6 (4), 6-7 (1), 6-3 in two hours and 51 minutes.
San Diego Open
Fourth-seeded Barbora Krejcikova came from behind to beat the United States’ Danielle Collins 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinals at San Diego.
After dropping the first set, Krejcikova lost her serve to open the second set. However, she immediately broke back, then sealed the set by breaking in the final game. Collins lost her serve twice early in the third set and couldn’t catch up.
Krejcikova is looking for the seventh WTA Tour title of her career, having most recently captured the championship at Dubai in March.
Her final-round opponent will be Sofia Kenin, who beat Emma Navarro 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in an all-U.S. semifinal.
–Field Level Media
