Naomi Osaka moved into the Miami Open semi-finals with another impressive performance as an out-of-sorts American Danielle Collins was brushed aside at the Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday.
The clinical Japanese star, yet to drop a set in this tournament, won 6-2, 6-1 and will meet Swiss Olympic Gold medal winner Belinda Bencic in the last four. Collins, who appeared to be struggling with a neck injury and has been suffering with a viral infection, will return to the top 10 when the rankings are released on Monday having briefly been there following her run to the Australian Open final earlier this year. But Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, has been in fine form in south Florida and on this evidence will take a lot of stopping if she is to be denied the title this weekend. Bencic, the world number 28, who beat Australia's Daria Saville 6-1,6-2, said: "I have played Osaka before, so I know how it feels to play her.
"I'm really happy I achieved a great result here and everything else is a bonus. I'm going to enjoy and do the best I can."
In Wednesday's remaining WTA quarter-finals, American Jessica Pegula will play Spain's Paula Badosa while Czech Petra Kvitova takes on world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland.
Zverev in quarters
Alexander Zverev's push to land his first title of the year moved a step closer on Tuesday after the German moved into the quarter-finals of the Miami Open with a straight-sets win over Thanasi Kokkinakis. World number four Zverev has struggled for consistency in 2022 but the Miami Open finalist from 2018 was too strong in a 6-4, 6-4 win over Kokkinakis who came through qualifying without dropping a set.
Kokkinakis, who along with compatriot Nick Kyrgios won the Australian Open doubles title, was in the fourth round for the first time in south Florida and managed to give the German a few headaches, especially with his serve. Yet the Australian looked to be struggling with a chest injury in the second set and Zverev was able to move through the gears when it mattered to set up an encounter with Norway's Casper Ruud for a place in the semi-finals.
