Fickle Auckland weather plays havoc with ASB Classic quarterfinals

ASB Classic semifinalists will be pressed into double duty — and perhaps more — on Saturday, as Auckland’s weather again adds a twist to the tail of the women’s international tennis tournament.

Japanese seventh seed Naomi Osaka and American Robin Montgomery have already booked their passage into the final four, but their opponents will be decided in rescheduled morning session, after rain suspended play in the final two quarterfinals on Friday night.

Top seed Madison Keys was a set down against fifth-seeded Dane Clara Tauson, but had turned momentum her way in the second set, when a heavy showed intervened, sending players, officials and spectators under cover.

They never re-emerged and the match will resume at 11am Saturday, with the winner progressing to face Montgomery, who accounted for countrywoman Bernarda Pera 6-4 6-4 in their quarterfinal clash.

Americans Katie Volynets and Alycia Parks were also scheduled to meet on Friday night, but will follow Keys-Tauson on centrecourt, with the winner drawn to face four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka just a few hours later for a place in the final.

If Tauson overcomes Keys, she will take on Montgomery in singles, then team with American Sloane Stephens in a doubles semi against Serb Aleksandra Krunic and American Sabrina Santamaria.

American Keys was in deep trouble, after dropping the first set against her dogged opponent, then falling a break down and surviving another breakpoint at 3-1. She showed her class to win the next three games for 4-3, when the rain began.

Osaka also needed three sets to overcome American Hailey Baptiste, but wore her rival down 6-7(2) 6-1 6-2, after Baptiste’s second round match against Brit Jodie Burrage went almost three hours the night before.