Japan Open: 19-year-old American Krueger through to semi-finals

American Ashlyn Krueger advanced to the semi-finals of the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships by winning against Russian Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-1 on Friday.

Krueger, ranked No 123 in the world, will play the winner of the match between Japanese wildcard Mai Hontama and Dutch qualifier Arianne Hartono for a place in the final.

This is the first WTA Tour level semi-final for Krueger and the sixth top 100 win of her young career. Earlier this year, the American teen had scored a win over former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka during the grass season.

The 19-year-old American defeated Ukrainian Kateryna Baindl, the No 8 seed (6-2, 6-3) and Frenchwoman Jessika Ponchet (6-4, 6-1) earlier in the week.

In the previous rounds, Kalinskaya, ranked No 92, won against German Jule Niemeier (6-4, 6-4) and Harriet Dart (7-6 (5), 6-2).

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