WTA

Osaka sets up Andreescu quarter-final showdown at Libema Open

By Sports Desk June 12, 2024

Naomi Osaka will play Bianca Andreescu in the Libema Open quarter-finals after a commanding straight-sets victory over Suzan Lamens.

The four-time major winner took just 54 minutes to wrap up a 6-2 6-2 win over her Dutch opponent in t'Hertogenbosch.

Osaka looked sharp as she sought her second WTA quarter-final appearance of the season, having also reached that stage in Doha four months ago.

The Japanese hit 21 winners to 13 unforced errors, while converting four out of five break points against the world number 140.

Next up for Osaka is a showdown with 2019 US Open champion Andreescu in the last eight.

Data Debrief: Osaka storms into first grass-court quarter-final in six years

It was a dominant display by Osaka, who hit nine aces and won 15 of her 17 points on first serve (88.2 per cent).

The four-time major winner subsequently advanced to her first WTA quarter-final on grass since the 2018 Nottingham Open.

Related items

  • Lazio 3-1 Napoli: Noslin hat-trick fires Biancocelesti into Coppa Italia quarter-finals Lazio 3-1 Napoli: Noslin hat-trick fires Biancocelesti into Coppa Italia quarter-finals

    Tijjani Noslin's hat-trick booked Lazio's place in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals following a 3-1 victory over Napoli.

    The Dutch forward's first treble of his career proved decisive at Stadio Olimpico, where Giovanni Simeone's strike proved nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.

    Lazio were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute after Elia Caprile brought down Pedro, but the Napoli goalkeeper redeemed himself with a smart save to deny Mattia Zaccagni from 12 yards.

    Nevertheless, the hosts broke through in the 32nd minute. Samuel Gigot headed Loum Tchaouna's deep centre back across goal for Noslin to nod home.

    Simeone brought Napoli level four minutes later, tucking away a rebound after Christos Mandas could only parry David Neres' initial effort.

    However, Noslin put Lazio back in front within five minutes after Pedro cushioned a cross neatly into his path, before completing his hat-trick early in the second half when heading home Zaccagni's centre.

    Data Debrief: Another last-16 exit for Partenopei

    Lazio are through to the Coppa Italia quarter-finals for a 14th consecutive season, after Noslin stole the show in Rome.

    The Dutchman had never previously in his career scored two goals in the same match, let alone three.

    Meanwhile, Napoli have now won just one of their last six away games in the Coppa Italia, and have exited the tournament at this stage in each of the last four seasons.

  • Cacereno 1-3 Atletico Madrid: Simeone's side survive scare after late fightback Cacereno 1-3 Atletico Madrid: Simeone's side survive scare after late fightback

    Atletico Madrid progressed to the Copa del Rey last 32, but only after surviving a scare against fourth-tier Cacereno.

    Diego Simeone's side trailed 1-0 in the 83rd minute at Estadio Principe Felipe, after Alvario Merencio's first-half strike.

    However, the LaLiga side levelled through Clement Lenglet, before striking twice in stoppage time through Julian Alvarez and an Adri Perez own-goal.

    Julio Cobos' side were on a four-match winning streak in Group 5 of the Segunda Federacion, and took the lead on the half-hour mark, with Merencio rounding off a quick counter.

    The hosts held firm but were finally breached seven minutes from time, when Lenglet headed in from Rodrigo de Paul's cross.

    Cacereno were reduced to 10 men two minutes later with Jaime Sancho shown a second yellow card, and Atletico capitalised on their numerical advantage in stoppage time.

    De Paul's shot deflected in off Perez to complete the turnaround, while Alvarez put the tie beyond the fourth-tier outfit later on.

    Data Debrief: Late, late show spares Atletico blushes

    Atletico had won each of their last seven matches across all competitions, but they were given an almighty scare on Thursday.

    Nevertheless, Simeone's side eventually broke Cacereno's resistance, scoring three goals from the 83rd minute onwards in any competition for only the second time - also doing so against Real Zaragoza in June 2013.

  • Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford: Rogers wondergoal helps snap winless streak Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford: Rogers wondergoal helps snap winless streak

    Morgan Rogers' superb goal set Aston Villa on their way to a commanding 3-1 home victory over Brentford, ending their eight-match winless streak in all competitions.

    Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash were all on target in a 13-minute flurry of goals in the first half that proved decisive at Villa Park.

    An impressive victory saw Unai Emery's side end their alarming recent run of form, which had included collecting just two points from their last five Premier League games.

    A long-range strike from Rogers midway through the first half broke the deadlock, and Watkins swiftly doubled the lead with a penalty kick he had won himself.

    Cash's thumping volley stretched the advantage further, with Mikkel Damsgaard's early second-half strike only proving to be a consolation for Brentford, who continue to struggle away from home.

    The hosts return to the Premier League's top half in seventh place on 22 points – two more than Thomas Frank's side, who slip to ninth.

    Data Debrief: Villa end drought as Bees' tricky travels continue

    Emery was in danger of overseeing a nine-match winless streak for the first time in his managerial career.

    However, Villa ensured that would not be the case with a clinical first-half display. Watkins was on target for the fourth time in his last three appearances against his former club.

    The hosts have now lost just one of their last 12 league games at Villa Park, where Brentford have now failed to win in 10 league attempts.

    Not only that, but just one of the Bees' 20 points this season have been registered away from home. Though a cause for concern, Frank's side are still well placed in the table.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.