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Quarterfinal action began on day 6 of the Western and Southern Open. Again we would see a withdraw and a retirement.
The day started with action on Center Court as World #1 women's player Ashleigh Barty squared off with tournament surprise Maria Sakkari. Barty jumped out to an early 5-2 lead, but Sakkari would come storming back winning the next 5 straight to take the first set 7-5. Things then went down hill for the Greek. Sakkari who one day prior had only given up one break point the day before against Aryna Sabalenka, was broken twice in the second set and again Barty jumped out to a 5-2 lead. This time though there would be no comeback. Sakkari would lose the seven games and the match in three sets. Final score Barty defeats Sakkari 5-7, 6-2, 6-0.
While this match was going on, word came down that Yoshihito Nishioka who was set to play David Goffin, came down with a bad case of food poisoning and was forced to withdraw. This propelled Goffin into the semifinals.
Over on the Grandstand, there was another three set thriller. This time the Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova held off World #3 Karolina Pliskova. Final scores 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3
The final singles match of the day session saw World #1 and defending US Open Champion Naomi Osaka take on the American Sofia Kenin. Here we would see another player retire early due to injury. After splitting the first two sets, Osaka hurt her knee coming down on a serve. Trainers could not say whether or not it would safe for Osaka to continue playing, and she decided to save herself for the US Open and withdrew in the third set. Kenin took the win final score 6-4, 1-6, 2-0 (ret)
In the night cap, fresh off a three set thriller with Simona Halep, Madison Keys took on the resilient Venus William. IT would not take Keys three sets tonight however as she rolled over Williams in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.
Over on Grandstand, it was Russian vs Russian as Daniil Medvedev fresh off a runner up performance in Montreal last week, took on the man who knocked Roger Federer out of the tournament, Andrey Rublev. This would be another quick match seeing Medvedev continue his hot streak defeating his fellow Russian in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.
The final match of the night saw reigning Western and Southern Open Champion and World #1 Novak Djokovic take on Frenchman Lucas Pouille. Keeping with the evening theme, Djokovic would roll in straight sets defeating Pouille 7-6(2), 6-1.
The Semifinals lineup for Saturday
All matches on Center Court
(1) Ashleigh Barty vs Svetlana Kuznetsova (11am)
Richard Gasquet vs David Goffin (2nd match on)
Madison Keys vs Sofia Kenin (3rd match on)
Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev (Not before 6pm)
For more information and doubles scores, please visit wsopen.com