MX23RW : Thursday, September 27 20:38:28

Result: Amanda Anisimova stuns Zhang Shuai to reach Japan Women's Open final

The 17-year-old becomes the youngest player to make a final since Donna Vekic in 2013.

Teenage qualifier Amanda Anisimova shocked number one seed Zhang Shuai at the Japan Women's Open to reach her first WTA final.

The American, who turned 17 a fortnight ago, becomes the youngest player to make a final since Donna Vekic, aged 16, in 2013.

In a match interrupted by two lengthy rain suspensions she won 7-6 7-5 in a one hour and 48 minutes.

Anisimova will face second seed Hsieh Su-Wei after she had to win twice in the day to book her place.

After overcoming Ajla Tomljanovic 4-6 6-2 6-0 in a quarter-final held over from Friday because of rain she returned later on to beat Wang Qiang 6-4 6-4.

Qualifier Jessica Pegula produced an upset at the Coupe Banque Nationale as she put an end to the seven-match winning streak of number two seed Petra Martic.

The world number 227 produced a confident display, winning 85% of her first serve points to topple her Croatian opponent 6-3 7-5 and book her place in the semi-finals.

Pegula needed just one break of serve off the back of a double fault from Martic to close out the opening set, while the second set saw the pair exchange breaks

With the scores tied at 5-5, the American played aggressively to go 6-5 up before holding her nerve to serve out the match.

She will now face a meeting with compatriot Sofia Kenin, who reached the second WTA semi-final of her career by ousting number three seed Monica Puig.

The 19-year-old hit six aces and lost just six points on serve as she dismissed the Puerto Rican 6-3 6-1 in 55 minutes.

As the number five seed, Kenin is now the highest-ranked player left in the draw in Quebec.

British number three Heather Watson sealed her spot in the final four with a straight-sets win over Canada's Rebecca Marino.

Watson took two breaks – losing her own serve once – to take a one-set lead, before needing just one break in the second to clinch the match 6-3 6-4.

Up next for the Briton is Pauline Parmentier, who beat American Varvara Lepchenko 7-6 (7/5) 6-1.

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