Stosur Upset as Watson Advances Into Osaka Finals

Results, orders of play, draws, and other information for the HP Open in Osaka, Japan.

By Erik Gudris

(October 13, 2012) -- In a season filled with first time WTA title winners, the trend will continue at the HP Open in Osaka as Chang Kai-Chen and Heather Watson advanced into tomorrow's finals. Taking on former champion and No. 1 seed Sam Stosur, Chang came back from an early 0-3 deficit to take the first set 6-4.

Stosur rallied to take the second set and in the decider was only two points away from victory on Change's service game at 5-6. But Chang fought back to win eight of the next ten points to force a final set tiebreak that she dominated to close out a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3) victory.

Before today, Chang's biggest career win was over then No. 1 Dinara Safina in Tokyo back in 2009. Chang will now try to become the third Taiwanese woman to win a WTA title joining Wang Shi-Ting and Hsieh Su-Wei who has won two WTA titles this year.

Watson Keeps British Surge Going With Osaka Run

First it was Andy Murray winning New York and then it was Laura Robson reaching the finals of Guangzhou. Now it's Heather Watson's turn to keep Great Britain's recent success on the courts going as she aims for her first WTA title.

Facing Japan's Misaki Doi in their semifinal, Watson was forced to battle as she came back from 1-3 down early on to eventually take the first set in a tiebreak. Serving a healthy 80% first serves for the match, the Guernsey native edged out Doi in a tight second set to earn a 7-6(2), 7-5 win.

This is the best result career result ever for Watson who previously reached three quarterfinals in Kuala Lumpur, Birmingham and Osaka in 2010. In addition to seeking the singles title, Watson is also in the doubles final playing with Kimiko Date-Krumm as they face the American team of Racquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears.

HP OPEN

Osaka, Japan

October 8-14, 2012

$220,000/International

Hard/Outdoors

Tournament Website: HP Open | Live Scores | Draws | TV Schedule

RESULTS -- SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

Singles - Semifinals
Chang Kai-Chen (TPE) d. (1) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 64 46 76(3)
Heather Watson (GBR) d. Misaki Doi (JPN) 76(2) 75

Doubles - Semifinals
(4) Date-Krumm/Watson (JPN/GBR) d. (2) Medina Garrigues/Zheng (ESP/CHN) 64 46 108 (Match TB)

ORDER OF PLAY -- SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2012

Centre Court (from 12.00hrs)
1. Singles Final: Chang Kai-Chen vs. Heather Watson
2. Doubles Final: Kops-Jones/Spears vs. Date-Krumm/Watson

Tournament Website: HP Open | Live Scores | Draws | TV Schedule