Osaka reaches Pan Pacific Open final at Giorgi's expense

Tachikawa (Japan) : Japan's tennis star Naomi Osaka, No. 3 seed, reached the Toray Pan Pacific Open final for the second time in her career after defeating Italy's Camila Giorgi 6-2, 6-3 on Saturday.

The US Open champion took 71 minutes to overcome world No. 37 Giorgi in their first ever encounter, clearing the way for a trophy on home soil, reports Efe news.

"I knew that once I hit any short ball or any ball without that much speed, she was going to try to go for it. I think that we have two completely different games, and mine just happened to win today," Osaka said after the match.

The World No. 7 is set to next take on Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic for the third time overall and the second this year on Sunday.