The Tokyo Open semi-finals will each be Russo-Chinese affairs after Liudmila Samsonova eliminated 2017 Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza 6-4 6-2 in the quarterfinals.
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Samsonova, who also beat current Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the first round, has won 16 of her last 17 matches. She next meets Zhang Shuai who defeated Petra Martic 7-5 6-2.
"I'm still working on my technique but most of all my mental game," Samsonova said. "I think I've grown up on that part and my team has been amazing. They've really helped me to improve."
Veronika Kudermetova, the highest seeded player remaining at No. 4, beat Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 to advance. She will take on 19-year-old Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals.
Zheng defeated American player Claire Liu 6-4 7-5.
Australian Associated Press
