By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, October 23, 2026
Photo credit: Screen Shot
The Osaka final will come with a red, white and blue hue.
Top-seeded Ann Li fought off talented Austrian teen Lilli Tagger 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(0) to advance to her 11th career semifinal at the Japan Open in Osaka.
Li will face fellow American Ashlyn Krueger for a spot in Sunday’s final.
The 2023 champion Krueger crushed fourth-seeded Aussie Talia Gibson, 6-1, 6-3, in the day’s second quarterfinal.
The 55th-ranked Krueger raised her Osaka record to 9-2.
It is the third semifinal of the season for Li, who is delivering the best season of her career. Li, who has beaten both Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek this season, improved to 31-25 on the year, equaling her career-high for most wins in a season set last year.
World No. 25 Li will play for her seventh career final against Krueger. The 26-year-old Li has won both prior meetings vs. Krueger, including a 6-4, 6-2 victory in Beijing earlier this month.
Tested in the third-set tie break today, Li answered with a near flawless breaker highlighted by a snazzy low forehand volley winner.
Briton Katie Boulter rallied past Antonia Ruzic 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 into the final four.
The eighth-seeded Boulter will play Czech Katerina Siniakova for a place in Sunday’s final.
Doubles world No. 1 Siniakova swept American qualifier Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2.
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