Naomi Osaka and Daria Kasatkina to meet in Indian Wells final
"It wasn't easy," admitted Osaka, while Kasatkina said: "Match like this, you're just speechless" as 20-year-olds get set to meet for first time in final
Saturday 17 March 2018 15:17, UK
Naomi Osaka and Daria Kasatkina will go head to head for the BNP Paribas Open title after stunning Simona Halep and Venus Williams respectively in the semi-finals at Indian Wells on Friday.
Unseeded Osaka came into the clash as the lowest ranked Indian Wells semi-finalist since Kim Clijsters in 2005, but overcame world No 1 Halep 6-3 6-0, winning nine straight games from 3-3 in the first set to dump the top seed out of the competition.
Having stormed to the brink of victory, Osaka was made to work hard in a final game which included six deuces before she got over the line on her third match-point.
"It wasn't easy," said Osaka, who improved to 14-4 in 2018. "I was really stressed out the entire time but I am really happy I could end it fast."
Halep offered few excuses for her baffling display but felt that the long wait to get on court had not helped her cause.
"I just didn't feel the ball at all. I was out of the game today. I played okay until 4-3 but then I just went out. I don't know why. I just lost my concentration," she said.
"She was better. She was more prepared and she was ready to play and ready to win the match. I was not."
Osaka's opponent in the final is fellow 20-year-old Kasatkina, the 20th seed from Russia, who earlier defeated American eighth seed Williams 4-6 6-4 7-5.
Kasatkina has beaten four major champions, and current top-20 players, at Indian Wells this month - Sloane Stephens, Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber and Williams.
Speaking on court after the match, she said: "It's crazy actually this night. We played almost three hours - incredible match."
She added at her post-match press conference, quoted by the official WTA website: "Match like this, you're just speechless.
"Even (when) I meet my coach and my brother after the match, I was not able to say anything. I was just, like, 'Aaaaah, okay, that was pretty nice'. Too many emotions and you cannot explain everything."
You can watch the semi-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 from Indian Wells on Sky Sports Arena from 6pm this Saturday with the final at 8pm on Sky Sports Arena & Sky Sports Main Event on Sunday.
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