Sofia Kenin beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-0 2-6 7-6 (7-3) to reach the semifinals at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
Kenin broke three times in the first, third and fifth games and served out on her third set point in the sixth game to take a bagel win in the first set.
Alexandrova converted her third break point in the second game of the second set to take a 2-0 lead and held serve at 15 to open up a 3-0 lead. The Russian player broke serve on her third set point to win the second set 6-2 forcing the match to the third set.
Kenin earned an early break to 30 in the first game of the decider to take a 1-0 lead. Alexandrova broke straight back in the second game to draw level to 1-1. Alexandrova broke at 15 in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead.
Kenin saved three match points in the ninth game to hold serve at deuce for 3-5 as she was serving to stay in the match. The US player converted her fourth break-break point in the ninth game and held serve to draw level to 5-5. Both players traded mini-breaks at the start of the tie-break. Kenin won five of the next six points including two mini-breaks to seal the tie-break 7-3.
