Britain’s Johanna Konta is through to the semi-finals of the Southern & Western Open after defeating Maria Sakkari in straight sets on Wednesday.
Sakkari toppled Serena Williams in the round of 16 but Konta had her measure a day later, the eighth seed beating the Greek 13th seed in a solid performance in blustery conditions, 6-4 6-3.
Konta will now play former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus for a place in the final.
The 31-year-old Azarenka, the Australian Open winner in 2012 and 2013 but now ranked 59th, advanced with a 7-6 (11-9) 6-2 defeat of Tunisian Ons Jabeur.
Earlier, Naomi Osaka battled back from a set and a break down to defeat Anett Kontaveit 4-6 6-2 7-5 to advance to the semi-finals for the first time.
But shortly afterwards she withdraw from the tournament in protest against the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man.
Osaka, the former world No. 1 and two-time grand slam champion, was due to meet Elise Mertens who needed just over an hour to defeat qualifier Jessica Pegula 6-1 6-3 and advance to her first Premier 5 semi-final.
The 14th-seeded Belgian frustrated Pegula throughout the match, racing around the court to extend rallies and keep pressure on the American.
Mertens, who reached the US Open quarter-finals last year, sealed the win with her third ace.
The tournament, the final tune-up before the US Open, is being played at Flushing Meadows in New York instead of Cincinnati due to the COVID-19 pandemic.