Tauson scores emotional win for her late grandfather

Clara Tauson put aside grief over her grandfather’s recent death to break through for a career-first Masters semi-final in Toronto on Tuesday.

The Dane earned her spot in the final four with a 6-1, 6-4 upset of reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, setting up a shot at four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.

The Japanese player defeated 10th seed Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-2 in their quarter-final.

“Two days ago, my grandfather unfortunately passed away, so I really wanted to win for him today,” Tauson explained. “I was told yesterday, and I really wanted to come out here and show my best tennis for him.

“Hopefully he’s watching.”

Tauson, seeded 16, crushed Keys in a 27-minute opening set  after knocking out another former No. 1 in Iga Swiatek in the previous round on the way into the seventh WTA semi-final of her career.

Osaka also set a personal best in her victory, defeating Svitolina for the fifth time in eight matches.

“I’m just having a lot of fun playing and I’m really glad to be here,” Osaka said. “Someone told me it’s been seven years (since playing Montreal).”

Osaka moved through in just over an hour as she put out former champion in Canada Svitolina, saving four of five break points.

Osaka will be playing her sixth WTA 1000 semi-final three years after her last at Miami.

Main photo :- Clara Tauson winning in Toronto – by WTA/National Bank/Rogers