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.
–Field Level Media
Toronto Blue Jays All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was held out of the starting lineup with a right knee injury for the second straight game on Thursday, but an MRI showed…
Kon Knueppel, a five-star small forward in the Class of 2024, committed to Duke on Thursday. Knueppel visited the Durham, N.C., campus over the weekend after also visiting Wisconsin and…
The Miami Marlins are looking for a bounce-back series. Miami (79-74), which is in contention for a National League wild-card playoff berth, is set to host the Milwaukee Brewers (87-66)…
Five-star F Kon Knueppel commits to Duke
Marlins aim to get back on track against surging Brewers
PGA Tour will keep season opener on Maui, help with wildfire recovery
NHL approves sale of Senators to Michael Andlauer