Kasatkina turns on the style

Originally published on 15/03/18 00:00

The 20-year-old was in devastating form once again as she swatted the former world No.1 aside in just 58 minutes. She is yet to drop a set in the tournament and will take on Venus Williams, who defeated Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3 6-2, in the last four on Friday.

Kasatkina has come of age in recent months and she is not frightened or intimidated by big reputations. Caroline Wozniacki and Sloane Stephens have both failed to tame the Russian juggernaut this week, and she has a golden opportunity to win the biggest title of her career this weekend.

It was an afternoon to forget for Kerber. She started slowly and only got marginally better as the contest progressed. The German was unusually loose from the baseline, committing 32 unforced-errors, and she ended a tournament that promised so much on a sour note.

Kasatkina, who reached the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships last month, executed her game-plan to perfection. She was the dominant force from the outset and all facets of her game were in full working order.

Kerber managed to get her side of the scoreboard moving in the second set, however there was never any realistic hope of a dramatic comeback. The 30-year-old was simply not playing well enough to trouble her buoyant opponent, and she made a sharp exit after her deflating experience on Court 1.

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