The WTA 250 Japan Open Osaka defined its four semifinalists this Friday in a day marked by the withdrawal of top seed Naomi Osaka from the main draw. Only Leylah Fernandez (4th) remains from the players who started as seeds, and she will face veteran Romanian Sorana Cirstea for a spot in the final.
On the other side, Osaka’s exit allowed the—also Romanian—Jaqueline Cristian to reach the semifinals of a WTA 250 for the third time this season. She will face the young 18-year-old Czech, Tereza Valentova, a qualifier who continues to make huge strides on the WTA Tour.
Last seed standing: Leylah Fernandez faces veteran Sorana Cirstea
It has been a great week for world No. 27 Leylah Fernandez, who is in the semifinals of a tournament for the second time this season—the previous being her title run at the WTA 500 DC Open. This time, the Canadian showed her favorite status against opponents outside the top 60, securing straight-sets wins over Hailey Baptiste (No. 64), Dalma Gálfi (No. 96), and Rebecca Šrámková (No. 65).
The 2021 US Open runner-up is the only remaining seed and has a significant chance to fight for her eighth career final. The 23-year-old Fernandez has maintained a first-serve winning percentage above 70% throughout the tournament and will take the court as the favorite against Romanian Sorana Cirstea (No. 51).
The 35-year-old European has defeated Moyuka Uchijima, Katie Boulter, and Viktorija Golubic, and like Fernandez, is seeking her eighth career final. Cirstea is currently one of only three players over 35 years old who remain in the top 100, trailing only German veterans Laura Siegemund (37 y/o, No. 39) and Tatjana Maria (38 y/o, No. 43).
Match Info:
Leylah Annie Fernandez vs Sorana Cirstea
Start time (local): Sat, 18 Oct, 12:00 PM
Start time (your time): Sat, 18 Oct, 11:00 AM
Court: Center
Tournament: Kinoshita Group Japan Open
Round: Semifinal
Head-to-Head
Teen phenom’s ascent: Tereza Valentova’s run continues against Jaqueline Cristian
Until recently, Tereza Valentova (No. 78) was relatively unknown, a former world No. 4 in juniors and champion of the 2024 Roland Garros girls’ singles and doubles. The 18-year-old made her WTA tournament debut only a few months ago at her home event, the Prague Open, which allowed her to break into the top 100 for the first time in her career by reaching her first semifinals. Shortly after, she qualified for the US Open and achieved her first main draw Grand Slam victory over Lucia Bronzetti—before falling to Rybakina in the second round.
The young Czech showed this week that her adaptation to the Tour level is complete, coming through qualifying and defeating strong opponents in the main draw: she swept past Alexandra Eala (6-1, 6-2) and 3rd seed Elise Mertens (6-4, 6-1)—her first win against a top-25 player—before overcoming 6th seed Olga Danilović in three sets.
Valentova will face Jaqueline Cristian (No. 47), who benefited from the withdrawal of local and first seed Osaka to advance directly to the semifinals. The 27-year-old Romanian beat opponents like Elisabetta Cocciaretto and 8th seed Jessica Bouzas Maneiro this week. This is a great opportunity for Cristian to reach the third final of her career against a player with much less experience.
Match Info:
Jaqueline Cristian vs Tereza Valentova
Start (local): Sat, 18 Oct, 1:10 PM
Your time: Sat, 18 Oct, 12:10 PM
Court: Center
Tournament: Kinoshita Group Japan Open
Round: Semifinal
Head-to-Head
Past Meetings: First meeting