Staff Reporter.
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Danish player Clara Tauson overcame adversity in her 6-1, 6-4 win against sixth-seeded Madison Keys to advance to the National Bank Open semifinals
Tauson, ranked 19th in the world, was clinical in the opening set against Keys, converting both of her break point opportunities and serving out in just over half an hour.
Australian Open champion Keys dropped serve again early in the second and Tauson held her nerve to earn a second successive win over an opponent ranked in the world top 10.
“Two days ago, my grandfather unfortunately passed away – so I really wanted to win for him today,” Tauson said after the match.
“I was told the day after I beat Swiatek, so yesterday, and I really wanted to come out here and show my best tennis for him.
“Hopefully he’s watching.”
Tauson will face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the semi-finals, after the Japanese star reached the Canadian open last four for the first time in her career.
Osaka beat No. 10 seed Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-2 on Tuesday night.
The native of Japan is seeking her eighth career title and her first since the 2021 Australian Open.
“I’m really happy. I’m also really excited,” Osaka said. “After Wimbledon (a third-round loss), I was really disappointed, and then I just kind of let go of my expectations. And now we’re here.
“I find it kind of ironic, but I’m happy about it.”
Osaka got to the final of the ASB Classic final in Auckland to begin this season and faced Tauson but had to retire because of an abdominal injury after winning the first set 6-4.