Czech qualifier Tereza Valentova advanced to the final of the Osaka Open by defeating Romanian Jaqueline Cristian 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-3 at the Utsubo Tennis Center on Saturday morning.
Valentova, ranked No 78, will play Canadian Leylah Fernandez, the No 4 seed, next.
Ahead of her victory, the 18-year-old Czech won against Serb Olga Danilovic, the No 6 seed (4-6, 6-2, 6-3), Belgian Elise Mertens, the No 3 seed (6-4, 6-1) and Filipino Alexandra Eala (6-1, 6-2).
Cristian, ranked No 48, beat Japanese Naomi Osaka, the top seed (W/O), Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, the No 8 seed (0-6, 6-4, 6-2) and Italian qualifier Elisabetta Cocciaretto (6-2, 7-6 (4)) in the previous rounds of the Osaka tournament.
Osaka WTA 250, other semi-final result (Utsubo Tennis Center, hard, USD 275.094):
Leylah Fernandez beat Sorana Cirstea: 6-1, 2-6, 6-4
AloJapan.com