Cincinnati Masters: Djokovic in semis, Osaka forced to retire
World number one men's tennis player Novak Djokovic reached the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters. The Wimbledon 2019 winner tamed Lucas Pouille 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 to book a semis date. In the women's section, Ashleigh Barty moved to the semis and is nearing the top spot in WTA rankings. Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka retired with a knee injury. Here's more.
Djokovic beat the Frenchman for the second time this season after a victory previously in the Australian Open 2019 semis. The Serb will play for a final berth against Russian Daniil Medvedev. He was a losing finalist last week in Canada against Rafael Nadal. "I managed to finish the match, there was a little bit of tightness in there," Djokovic said.
Frenchman Richard Gasquet won his first ATP Masters Series quarters in six years on Friday. He defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-2 at Cincinnati. The promising player will take on Belgian 16th seed David Goffin next in the semis. Goffin advanced after getting a walkover against Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka. The latter couldn't take the court due to illness.
Australian Ashleigh Barty edged closer to a return to the top WTA ranking after reaching the WTA semi-finals. This is a boost for Barty after current number one Naomi Osaka retired with a knee injury. Barty engineered a superb comeback to beat Maria Sakkari 5-7, 6-2, 6-0. Meanwhile, Sofia Kenin advanced after seeing a 6-4, 1-6, 2-0 victory over the retiring Osaka.
With the US Open next, the injury puts a cloud over defending champion Osaka. "Last year I won the US Open and this year I'm trying to play the US Open. "I don't even really think about winning the tournament. I just want to have the chance to play. If there is one percent chance of me not playing it, that's what's concerning me."
French Open champion Barty will face Russian veteran Svetlana Kuznetsova, who beat third seed Karolina Pliskova 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 in a tight affair. "I tried to play every point and stay there. She served amazing," Kuznetsova said. Meanwhile, Kenin will next play fellow American Madison Keys, who breezed past Venus Williams 6-2, 6-3.
"I'm in the semis for the first time here. I'm not thinking of the ranking at all. I'm playing one match at a time. If I can win matches, the ranking will take care of itself," said Barty on the WTA rankings.
