Ashlyn Krueger dispatched the host country’s Mai Hontama in straight sets on Saturday to advance to her first WTA final at the Japan Open in Osaka.
Krueger, a 19-year-old Dallas resident ranked No. 123 in the world, defeated Hontama 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 38 minutes in their first meeting on the tour.
Krueger, who has yet to drop a set in the tournament, had the advantage in aces, 5-0. She pushed Hontama to 13 break points and converted five of them.
In an all-Chinese semifinal, top seed Lin Zhu won a battle with third seed Xinyu Wang 7-5, 7-6 (6) in 124 minutes. Zhu converted four of six break points, while Wang managed three of nine.
Zhu is going for her second career WTA Tour title. Krueger is in her 11th main-draw appearance on the tour.
–Field Level Media