ASB Classic recap: Naomi Osaka advances as first quarter-finalists found

Updates of day three of the ASB Classic with quarter-final spots up for grabs.

That’s all for now

9:32pm: That’s the last of the singles matches for tonight.

Kiwi pair Monique Barry and Jade Otway are about to get underway in their doubles quarter-final against the duo of Jian Xinyu and of China, and Fang-Hsien Wu of Taiwan.

The round of 16 will be completed tomorrow, before the singles quarter-finals can get underway.

Here’s what to expect tomorrow:

Greet Minnen (Belgium) v Alycia Parks (USA)

Hailey Baptiste (USA) v Jodie Anna Burrage (Great Britian)

Nao Hibino (Japan) v Robin Montgomery (USA)

Madison Keys (USA) v Jaqueline Cristian (Romania)

Thanks for joining us, and be sure to come back tomorrow.

Katie Volynets defeats Ann Li 6-4, 6-3

9:25pm: Can Volynets break for victory? Li wins the first two points, but drops the next two to make it 30-30, and then another to give Volynets match point.

And that’s all she needs, the eighth seed breaks to take the set 6-3, and advances to the quarter-finals in straight sets.

Li breaks back

9:21pm: Volynets finds herself 15-40 down, but gets back to deuce. Li gets advantage, but can’t convert break point, only to win the next point for another advantage.

This time Li wins it, and breaks serve to bring the score to 5-3 in the second.

Play to resume

9:10pm: And we’re back, Volynets is 5-2 up in the second, but down 0-15 with her own serve.

Can she close it out without needing a third set?

Rain delay

9:01pm: The rain has stopped, and the ball kids are taking to the court with towels in an attempt to get the surface dry quickly.

Rain stops play

8:42pm: Volynets is closing in on a straight sets win, leading 5-2 in the second.

However, the rain has returned to halt proceedings for the night.

We’ll let you know as soon as there’s an update.

Volynets leads in the second

8:30pm: The eighth seed has taken a 3-2 lead over her compatriot in the second set.

She’ll be looking to close this out in straight sets from here.

Volynets wins first set 6-4

8:08pm: Volynets leads 5-4 in the first, and can serve to take the first set.

The eighth seed races out to 40-0 to have three set points up her sleeve.

She only needs one, and take the first set 6-4.

Volynets in charge

7:53pm: The eighth seed has raced out to a 4-2 lead, but Li will serve to bring it back to 4-2.

Final match of the day

7:07pm: One last match on centre court to go tonight.

Eighth seed Katie Volynets of the USA lines up against compatriot Ann Li.

The evening session was scheduled to start at 6:30pm, but that was around the same time as Tausen v Kenin wrapped up.

So we’ll be back once everyone has had a bit of a break.

Claudia Tausen defeats Sofia Kenin 4-6, 7-6, 7-6

6:31pm: And Tausen takes it easily! The fifth seed has four three match points, but needs just one to win the tiebreak 7-3, and advances into the quarter-finals.

Third set tiebreak

6:26pm: Kenin and Tauson can’t be separated, this match will be decided with a tiebreak!

Kenin comes back

6:12pm: The American isn’t going to go down without a fight!

Kenin comes back and breaks serve after holding her own, and we’re now locked at 4-4 in the third set.

Tauson breaks early in the decider

5:50pm: After being on the ropes early in the second, the fifth seed has turned this match around.

Tauson has broken Kenin early, and holds a 3-1 lead, with her serve to come.

Now we’ll see what Kenin has with her back to the wall.

First set tiebreak, Tauson takes it 7-6 (9-7)

5:34pm: Both players hold serve, so we’ll need a tie break to settle it.

Tauson shows her composure to earn two set points. Kenin saves the first, and then the second to level the scores at 6-6.

Both players continue to trade points, until Tauson holds her nerve to take it 9-7.

Tauson fights back

5:16pm: Kenin holds again to take a 5-3 advantage, and leaves Tauson needing to hold to stay alive, which she does - easily.

There’s no respite, though. Kenin will serve for the match. Tauson breaks, though, and levels the second set at 5-5.

Kenin in control

4:50pm: The American has taken control of the second set, and with it the match.

Kenin has broken serve twice in the first three games to take a 3-0 lead. Tauson manages a break of her own, and holds serve to bring it back to 3-2.

Kenin takes first set, 6-4

4:30pm: Tauson holds, but gives Kenin the chance to serve for the first regardless.

The American gets to 40-0, and has three set points up her sleeve. Tauson saves the first, but can’t do the same again as Kenin takes it 6-4.

Kenin close to taking first set

4:25pm: Both players continue to hold serve, giving Kenin a 5-3 advantage.

If she can break Tauson, she’ll take the first.

Kenin breaks serve

4:08pm: Kenin breaks Tauson, and then holds her own to go 3-1 up in the first.

Sofia Kenin v Clara Tauson up next

3:41pm: Fifth seed Tauson is the favourite to advance, but Kenin is a Grand Slam winner, and lifted the Australian Open in 2020.

Kenin also won the ASB Classic doubles title all the way back in 2019 in tandem with Eugenie Bouchard.

Naomi Osaka defeats Julia Grabher 7-5, 6-2

3:35pm Osaka comfortably holds serve, and leaves Grabher having to do the same to stay alive in the tournament. She does hold, but will now need to break as Osaka serves for the match.

In no time, Osaka goes 40-0 up, and has three match points to work with. She only needs one, as a powerful forehand is hit out by Grabher, and Osaka advances.

That’s two straight sets win in a row for Osaka, she’ll be back for her quarter-final on Friday.

Osaka breaks

3:24pm: The seventh seed holds serve, and then breaks at the other end to go 4-2 up in the second.

If she can just hold serve from here, Osaka should advance to the quarter-finals in straight sets.

All square in the second set

3:16pm: Both players have held serve to start the second set, at 2-2.

Osaka will serve to try and make it 3-2, Grabher can break to try and take charge of the set.

Osaka takes the first set v Grabher 7-5

3:04pm: We’re back on court after the weather delay.

Osaka wastes no time to hold serve and go 6-5 up in the first, and then breaks Grabher at the other end to take the first set.

Good showing from the seventh seed so far, but can she close it out?

Rain stops play in Osaka v Grabher

2:41pm: We were looking good to go, but the rain has stayed consistent, even if it is very light.

2:27pm: The scores are locked at 5-5 in the first set, but Osaka is up 40-15 on her own serve.

The rain is very light, and play will be back underway very shortly.

Bernarda Pera beats Rebecca Marino

1.17pm: Pera advances to the quarter-finals with a backhand cross court winner and takes out the match 7-6, 6-4. A break in the 10th game secures the match.

Pera will face the winner of Nao Hibino (Japan) v Robin Montgomery (USA) for a spot in the semifinals.

That’s one American through to the final eight, with a possible seven a chance to make it.

Bernarda Pera wins first set 7-6

12.27pm: American Pera takes the first set in a tiebreak which she wins 7-2. The world number 95 is looking to make the quarter-finals for her third straight tournament.

Eye on the quarter-finals

11.45am: Four singles matches today on Stadium Court. First match is already underway in the battle of the 30-somethings. It’s the first time Marino and Pera have squared off. That match will be followed by tournament drawcard Naomi Osaka.

Day three, round of 16:

Rebecca Marino (Canada) v Bernarda Pera (USA) - Pera wins 7-6, 6-4

7-Naomi Osaka (Japan) v Julia Grabher (Austria) - Osaka wins 7-5, 6-2

Sofia Kenin (USA) v 5-Clara Tauson (Denmark) - Tausen wins 4-6, 7-6, 7-6

8-Katie Volynets (USA) v Ann Li (USA) - Volynets wins 6-4, 6-3