WTA BNP Paribas Open: Kasatkina outlasts V. Williams 4-6, 6-4, 7-5

World
Europe

Now to the ladies, and the first semi-final which took place on Friday and saw 20 year old Russian Daria Kasatkina meeting 37 year old Venus Williams. Kasatkina has been blowing away her opponents to reach this stage, with big wins over the likes of former world number ones Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber, but would have a much tougher time against the wily American veteran.

Venus is able to take control in the first set and is now leading 5-3. With swirling winds, this would be a slugfest from the baseline for the entire match, as Williams smacks a winner en route to claiming the frame 6-4.

There would be 14 service breaks in the match, and Kastakina gets the better of them in the second set, which she goes on to win 6-4 to force a decider.

Venus came out strong to start the third and was two points from victory before Kasatkina was able to level things at 5-5. The young Russian moves Williams from side to side before taking the point with a brilliant drop shot.

The 20th seed broke late in the decider, and is now looking to finish off the biggest win of her career. And when Venus fires a backhand into the net, Kasatkina takes the set 7-5, and can hardly seem to believe it as she reaches the final.

In the other semi-final, 20 year old Japanese Naomi Osaka in the far court is leading 4-3 against world number one Simona Halep. Osaka has been slaying top players during her run in Indian Wells, and with blistering backhand winners like this, it is easy to see why. She would take the set 6-3.

Osaka absolutely dominates the second and now has a chance to close out the top seed from Romania at love. And when the out of sorts Halep dumps a backhand into the net, it's all over, so the final will see a showdown of two rising stars when Osaka faces Kasatkina.