Kerber advanced to the semi-finals at the Toray Pan Pacific Open, when Keys was forced to retire

Keys led 2-0 in the first set, but Kerber was able to turn and win it 6-4. In the second set, however, Keys no longer hesitated and won it 6-4. But in the third set, Keys was forced to give up the match at 1-2 due to injury. After the match Kerber said:

"It was a really good match in the first two sets, and this is never the way that you want to win the match," Kerber said. "I hope Madison will recover really soon so she is ready for the next tournaments.

"I tried to give everything I could today, and I'm looking forward to playing the next round."

Kerber thus improved her H2H record with Keys to 9-2 and continues at the tournament in China, where she improved her position in the WTA ranking already to 12th place.

"I think I like to play in Japan. Always when I'm coming back, I feel good here and I'm playing good tennis," she said.

"This year, I'm here to play as good as I can and I'm looking forward to playing another semifinal here."

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