By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday September 16, 2023
Ashlyn Krueger eased past Japan's Mai Hontama to book a spot in her maiden WTA final at Osaka.
Photo Source: TTV
123rd-ranked Ashlyn Krueger reached her maiden WTA final on Saturday in Osaka, Japan, defeating Mai Hontama 6-3, 6-3. The 19-year-old American was playing in just her ninth tour-level tournament.
“I knew I had to be really focused,” Krueger said on court after the win on a steamy day in Osaka. “It’s hot, we were both grinding out there – I just had to stay focused and play my game.”
The Dallas native improves to 4-4 on the season and will face top-seeded Lin Zhu of China in the final.
She has lost just 20 games and zero sets through four rounds. The 2020 Orange Bowl champion has 17 career matches to her name. Zhu toppled 21-year-old compatriot Wang Xinyu, the No.3 seed, 7-5, 7-6(6), for her 23rd win of 2023. She will bid for her second title of the season.
Zhu, a Beijing native, won the Hua Hin title in February. She improves to 3-0 over Wang at tour-level.