Osaka Open: Birrell moves into semi-finals

Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell beat Japanese wildcard Sara Saito 7-5, 6-4 to move into the semi-finals of the Osaka Open at the Utsubo Tennis Center on Friday.

Birrell, ranked No 150, will face Japanese qualifier Aoi Ito next.

Ahead of her victory, the Australian won against Chinese Saisai Zheng (6-2, 6-3) and Belgian Elise Mertens, the No 3 seed (3-6, 7-5, 4-1 ret.).

Saito, ranked No 179, defeated Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (6-3, 6-2) and Armenian Elina Avanesyan, the No 5 seed (7-6 (2), 6-4) in the previous rounds of the Osaka tournament.

Osaka WTA 250, other last eight results (Utsubo Tennis Center, hard, USD 267.080, most recent results first):

• Diane Parry (7) beat Clara Tauson: 6-3, 1-6, 6-3
• Aoi Ito beat Eva Lys (LL): 6-7 (8), 6-2, 6-3
• Suzan Lamens (Q) beat Ana Bogdan (Q): 4-6, 6-3, 6-3

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