Indian Wells: 'Giant Killer' Osaka defeats Halep in semis
Naomi Osaka's streak of beating world class players continued at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The Japanese rising star made world number 1 Simona Halep her latest victim as she cruised to a straight-set win against the Romanian. Osaka overcame Halep 6-3, 6-0 in just over an hour. She did not give the numero uno player any room for a challenge.
Osaka's road to the final
The 20-year-old beat Maria Sharapova in the first round. Agnieszka Radwanska and Sachia Vickery followed suit in their failed bid to beat Osaka. Maria Sakkari was seen off in Round of 16, before the famed Karolina Pliskova and Simona Halep were beaten comfortably next.
Youngster Kasatkina beats veteran Venus in semis
Russian 20-year-old Daria Kasatkina beat a top 10 player thrice in a row to reach the final. She will face fellow 20-year-old Osaka in a thrilling finale. Daria overcame world number 8 Venus Williams in a three-set thriller 4-6, 6-4, 7-5. The player, who is seeded 20th, notched the biggest win of her career by defeating a seven-time Grand Slam champion.
Daria's road to the final
The 20-year-old started her stunning journey by beating Katerina Siniakova in the 2nd round. Three former Grand Slam champions, Sloane Stephens, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber, were beaten in the next three rounds. She added the cherry on the cake after seeing off Venus.
Raonic sets up Del Potro blockbuster
Coming from an injury-ridden 2017, Milos Raonic booked a semi-final clash with Juan Martin del Potro at the Indian Wells. 27-year-old Raonic beat Sam Querrey 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 to keep his quest on for a 9th career ATP Tour title. Meanwhile, despite suffering from a backache, Martin del Potro defeated Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to enter the last four.
