Toray Pan Pacific Open, Japan

Women’s Semifinals:  [20] Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs. [66] Naomi Osaka (JPN)

She has demonstrated her talent ever since she stepped on court.  However, she is still a teenager and the changes in the rules have made it not so easy for young talents to get the match experience of the previous generations.  Thus, she has been gradually working her way up the ranks and this year she announced that she had arrived when she pushed Madison Keys almost to the brink of elimination at the US Open.

She started off the match very nervous; understandably so, given the location and the potential for making her first WTA Tour singles final.  I saw her play live in 2015 and there was no doubt in my mind that she would be a force on the Tour.  She needs to get a bit fitter and move better, but her forehand and serve are impressive.  She showed everyone once again why she won that tournament in Singapore last year.  Today she won 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, thoroughly out playing her opponent in the second and third sets.  She will have to get by Caroline Wozniacki tomorrow if she wants to claim her first title though. Will Osaka win her first Tour title tomorrow?

Guangzhou International Women’s Open, China

Women’s Final: [37] Jelena Jankovic (SRB) vs. [80] Lesia Tsurenko (UKR)

Jankovic could not defend her title because Tsurenko was ready for the challenge.  Jankovic has been battling injury, lack of motivation and some challenging opponents all tournament. Obviously exhausted, she could not pull off another three set victory as Tsurenko hung tough in the third set to defeat her 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.  This victory gave Tsurenko her second WTA singles title.

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