Brisbane International – SF Preview
?? (2) Naomi Osaka vs. ?? Lesia Tsurenko
Naomi Osaka continues her Brisbane International campaign on Saturday with a semi-final showdown against Lesia Tsurenko. Osaka is seemingly the player to beat this week in Brisbane after a sensational performance against Anastasija Sevastova in the quarter-finals. Osaka will be very confident heading into this match given her demolition of Tsurenko in their only previous meeting.
Osaka made a real statement in a 3-6 6-0 6-4 win over Anastasija Sevastova to reach the semi-finals in Brisbane. Osaka was outplayed in the first set and seemed destined for a third consecutive loss against the tricky Latvian. However, Osaka rallied and produced an extremely high level over the second and third sets to turn the match around and claim a critical win over a troublesome opponent.
Lesia Tsurenko also heads into this match with confidence having navigated her way to the semi-finals in Brisbane without dropping a set. Tsurenko started the week with a 6-0 6-2 thrashing of Mihaela Buzarnescu before claiming a comfortable 6-4 6-3 win against Kimberly Birrell. Tsurenko’s greatest test came at the quarter-final stage where she defeated Anett Kontaveit 7-5 6-3, a good win over a dangerous opponent.
Osaka smashed Tsurenko 6-1 6-1 at the quarter-final stage of the US Open last year in their only previous meeting. Can Tsurenko can this match more competitive and take down the reigning US Open champion?
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