WTA Cincinnati: Serena Williams loses after a clear lead, Osaka sovereign
Serena Williams was eliminated in the round of 16 at the WTA Premier 5 tournament in Cincinnati Naomi Osaka , on the other hand, is confidently in the round of the last eight.
by SID / tennisnet
last edit: Aug 26, 2020, 09:46 am
Tennis star Serena Williams does not find her way a few days before the start of the US Open. The 23-time Grand Slam winner was ranked 21 in the world rankings in the second round of the Western & Southern Open in New York. Maria Sakkari (Greece) despite a 7: 5 and 5: 3 lead still with 7: 5, 6: 7 (5: 7), 1: 6 and also retired surprisingly early on her second appearance after the restart of the WTA tour out. In the previous week, the 38-year-old was already in the round of 16 at the world number 116 at the tournament in Lexington / Kentucky. Shelby Rogers failed.
Williams also played a prank on her body in her early retirement. Only 24 hours after her three-set win against Arantxa Rus, the American kept her left leg again and again, and she also had to have her back treated. With a score of 0: 5 in the third set, Williams even shot tears in his eyes. It was initially not known whether there was a more serious injury and whether her start at the US Open (from August 31) is in danger.
Sakkari now meets Johanna Konta in the quarterfinals, who defeated Vera Zvonareva 6: 4 and 6: 2. In the other quarter-finals of the lower half Ons Jabeur (6: 3 and 6: 0 against Christina McHale) and Victoria Azarenka (6: 4 and 7: 5 against Alize Cornet) meet.
In the upper part of the tableau, Naomi Osaka, the highest placed player after the loss of Pliskova, Kenin and Williams, is listed. The Japanese beat Dayana Yastremska in the round of 16 thanks to a strong performance 6: 3 and 6: 1 and is now facing Anett Kontaveit, who defeated Marie Bouzková 6: 3 and 6: 3. The quarter-finals are completed by Elise Mertens (6: 2 and 6: 3 against Veronika Kudermetova) and Jessica Pegula (6: 2, 2: 6 and 6: 3 against Aryna Sabalenka).