Kerber and Wozniacki remain on course in Japan

angeliquekerber

Kerber has top billing at the WTA Premier hard-court event in Tokyo and on paper she faced a tricky test in sixth seed Dominika Cibulkova on Friday.

However, the German - runner-up at the event 12 months ago - was in imperious form as she coasted to a 6-3 6-0 triumph in little over an hour.

Only five places separate the pair in the world rankings and Cibulkova boasted a 4-2 record over Kerber heading into the contest.

There was a gulf in class in this quarter-final showdown, though, Kerber attacking the Cibulkova serve with regularity as she converted seven of the 10 break-point opportunities she created.

Cibulkova was unable to find a response and only won 41 per cent of first-serve points as she exited with a whimper.

Awaiting for Kerber in the semi-final is third Ana Ivanovic who comfortably overcame the challenge of Lucie Safarova 6-3 6-2.

On the other side of the draw, second seed and 2010 champion Wozniacki saw off Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3 6-3 in a match noteworthy for a high volume of breaks of serve.

There were 11 breaks in total, Spaniard Navarro particularly wasteful as she surrendered serve on seven occasions in a somewhat disjointed performance.

Wozniacki, who was runner-up at the US Open now has a semi-final meeting with Garbine Muguruza after the Spaniard came from behind to defeat Casey Dellacqua 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3, despite 10 double faults.

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