Rogers Cup: Osaka beaten by Serena in quarters, Rafa advances
23-times women's singles Grand Slam winner Serena Williams overcame Naomi Osaka in the quarter-finals of the Rogers Cup 2019. The veteran has booked a semis berth against Marie Bouzkova. Meanwhile, Osaka moved to the number one spot in the WTA rankings, despite the defeat. In men's section, defending champion Rafael Nadal also moved to the semis. Here are the details.
Williams overpowers Osaka in a 6-3, 6-4 win
Williams capped off a stunning 6-3, 6-4 win to overpower Osaka. Williams, who is yet to drop a set this week said, "It's definitely not where I want to be, but I'm getting there." Meanwhile, her opponent Bouzkova, who is ranked 91st in the world, progressed to the semis after her opponent Simona Halep retired hurt after losing the first set 4-6.
How did Osaka regain her world number one status?
Osaka saw her number one status get confirmed after Karolina Pliskova lost 0-6, 6-2, 4-6 to Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu. Pliskova, who was a former world number one for eight weeks in 2017, needed to win the tournament to regain the top spot. Also, Ashleigh Barty replaced Osaka at the top in June. Her campaign ended with a loss in round two.
Women's singles semis at Rogers Cup
Nadal marches on in Montreal
In the men's section, defending champion Nadal beat Fabio Fognini to move into the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup in Montreal. The current world number two is seeking a fifth Rogers Cup title. He started slowly before dispatching the Italian 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 in a three-set affair. The Spaniard will next face Gael Monfils or Roberto Bautista Agut in the semis.
Rafa has an advice for Fognini
Key results in men's section
The other key results saw eighth-seeded Medvedev breeze past Austrian second seed Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-1. Meanwhile, Khachanov overcame German number three seed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-3 in a relatively one-sided affair.
