THE second Miami Open semi-final has been confirmed, with Maria Sakkari and Bianca Andreescu set to go head-to-head following respective wins on Day 10 of proceedings.

Sakkari disposed of world number two Naomi Osaka, with the 23rd seed Greek talent in Sakkari got off to a flying start with a 6-0 first set before the Japanese talent really got going, however the damage was already done and the momentum taken as she completed the 6-0 6-4 sweep in just one hour and nine minutes.

Sakkari’s excellent first set came down to an 88.9 per cent winning rate off her first serve, outclassing Osaka at every turn as the second seed struggled to capitalise serving off a 35 per cent clip. Whilst Osaka lifted in the second set to lead 3-0, it was not enough to overcome Sakkari who stepped up to the challenge, serving two aces and still winning 70 per cent off her first serve to come away with a clean victory.

“I don’t think tennis-wise it was like the best tennis I have ever played in my life,” said Sakkari. “I think I executed our strategy with Tom (Tom Hill, coach) really well. I just did what I had to do. I’m not gonna tell you what. What we discussed before the match, I just did it most of the match, except maybe a couple of games where things didn’t go right.”

“I just had a little bit of time in the changeover [down 1-4] and thought about the strategy again,” said Sakkari. “I think I lost that a little bit in the beginning of the second set. So focusing on my strategy was the key. I knew that if I can break her back, then I can serve clever and I can serve the right way to just come back and win the second set, as well.”

This was Osaka’s first loss in over a year, with Sakkari’s ability to cut the Japanese talent’s 23-win streak effectively allowing Ash Barty to retain world number one status in the process.

It was a very different story in the second quarter final between Canadian eighth seed Andreescu and unseeded Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo, with a tight three-setter going the full mile for over two and a half hours. Whilst Andreescu won the first set, Sorribes Tormo worked her way back into the match with a solid second set to take it to the third, before the Canadian talent created some much needed separation to take out the third set and match, 6-4 3-6 6-3.

Whilst Sorribes Tormo was more effective on serve by a fair margin – 77 per cent compared to Andreescu’s 65 per cent – Andreescu was much more efficient and consistent overall with a 53.8 per cent win rate off her first serve and 42.9 per cent off her second serve.

Expect a huge clash between Andreescu and Sakkari tomorrow, with their semi-final following the first semi-final between Barty and Elina Svitolina.

MIAMI OPEN QUARTER FINALS RESULTS:

[23] Maria Sakkari (GRE) defeated [2] Naomi Osaka (JPN) 6-0 6-4
[8] Bianca Andreescu (CAN) v. Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) 6-4