Japanese No.1 Naomi Osaka has breezed into her third consecutive WTA quarter-final with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2, win over Germany’s Julia Goerges.
The reigning US Open champion overwhelmed her opponent with the help of a clinical service display. Winning 28 out of the 30 points behind her first serve. Osaka also capitalized on Goerges erratic performance, which featured a total of 31 unforced errors, as she broke four times in the match. Clinching a convincing victory to mark the birthday of her coach Sascha Bajin.
“I wanted to play well today. It is Sascha’s birthday.” Said Osaka. “It feels good to win. The last time I played on this court I lost. So I really wanted to win the match.”
Osaka is targeting her third title of the season this week in Beijing after claiming trophies in Indian Wells and at Flushing Meadows. Earlier in the week she secured her place at the WTA Finals in Singapore. Becoming the first Asian player to do so since Li Na back in 2013.
Awaiting the 20-year-old in the quarter-finals will be China’s Zhang Shuai, who scored her first top 10 win this season against Angelique Kerber. The world No.45 stunned the Wimbledon champion 6-1, 2-6, 6-0, in what was a roller coaster encounter. Zhang prevailed with the help of 22 winners as she broke Kerber five times during their match.
Your incredible support came with strong performance today and love you so much my friends – love you fans holding that Chinese National Flag cheering so strong during this special national holiday! @ChinaOpen @Ls2106Liu @ericbeard pic.twitter.com/jA1bYgI6pM
— Shuai Zhang (@zhangshuai121) October 4, 2018
Earlier this week, Osaka spoke about the close bond she has with Zhang. Saying that she was the only player she could speak to following her dramatic US Open final.
“I think it’s because I’m very shy, if they (the players) don’t approach me then it’s really hard. For me, the only person I can really approach is Zhang Shuai and I think it’s because she’s like my older sister type and she’s so nice.” Osaka told Reem Abulleil from Sport 360. “Whenever I see her I’m just like ‘aaahh’ [puts her arms out like a hug] and it’s so rare for me to feel that way.”
Osaka is tied at 2-2 in her head-to-head with Zhang.
In other matches, Katerina Siniakova upset Kiki Bertens 6-4, 6-3. The suprise win has also secured Petra Kvitova’s qualification for the season-ending WTA Finals next month.
