Andreescu into Libema Open semifinals after outlasting former world No. 1 Osaka

Canada's Bianca Andreescu continued her comeback from injury with a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (3) win over former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka of Japan in quarterfinal action Friday at the Libema Open.

Andreescu held on for the win after missing her first chance to close out Osaka when serving for the match up 5-3 in the third set.

An Osaka break and hold tied the set at 5-5, then both players exchanged holds to set up the deciding tiebreaker.

Andreescu will face Hungarian qualifier Dalma Galfi in the semifinals.

"These are the reasons we play this sport," Andreescu said. "Winning against players like this, at least for me, it really shows me where my level is at.

"I don't want to get too ahead of myself because every day is different. I just want to take it in and use it to my advantage."

The 23-year-old Andreescu from Mississauga, Ont., is playing in her second tournament since missing nearly 10 months with a back injury.

The matchup featured two players looking to rejoin the WTA's elite. Osaka reached No. 1 in January 2019, while Andreescu's breakout season in 2019 included wins at the U.S. Open, Indian Wells, and the Canadian Open, propelling her to No. 4.

It was also the same year the two had their only other match, with Osaka coming back from a set down to win in the quarterfinals of the China Open.

Andreescu entered the Libema Open ranked No. 228. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion who took a set 6-1 off eventual winner Iga Swiatek at the French Open, is at No. 125 after taking 2023 off to give birth to her daughter and to focus on her mental health.

Andreescu won 94 per cent of her first serve points and saved the only break point she faced in the first set.

Osaka came roaring back in the second set, taking a 5-0 lead.