Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu powered into her maiden grass-court semifinal at the WTA Berlin Open after Spain's World No. 10 Paula Badosa retired trailing 6-1.
In a rematch of their Australian Open clash earlier this year 6which Wang lost in straight sets the 23-year-old dominated, breaking Badosa three times to claim the first set. Early in the second set, with Wang leading 40-0 in the opening game, Badosa signaled a right hip injury and retired.
Wang's run to the semifinals has been remarkable. After navigating two qualifying rounds and upsetting two-time Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur, she stunned World No. 16 Daria Kasatkina in the opening round. Her biggest triumph came next, where she beat newly crowned French Open champion and World No. 2 Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3 her first career win over a Top 2 player.
“Playing in the qualifiers is definitely an advantage. Getting more matches, especially as we transition from clay to grass, is crucial. Winning builds confidence and helps me adapt to the surface faster,” Wang said.
Next up for Wang is Russia's Liudmila Samsonova in the semifinals as she continues her breakthrough grass-court campaign.
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China's Wang Xinyu powers into semifinals at WTA Berlin Open
cgtn.com
