Chang dispatches Stosur in Osaka

Osaka (Japan) - World No.134 Chang Kai-Chen stunned top seed Sam Stosur of Australia in the semifinal of the Japan Open here Saturday.

Taiwan’s Chang overcame six double faults and hit four aces to beat the world No. 9 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3) in their first-ever encounter.

Stosur won the Osaka title in 2009 and was last year’s runner-up, losing to France’s Marion Bartoli. She hasn’t won any titles since winning the US Open last year.

Chang will play Britain’s Heather Watson in the final after Watson overpowered local player Misaki Doi 7-6(2), 7-5 in their semi-final earlier Saturday.

It is a maiden career singles final for both Chang and Watson.

The prize fund for the tournament is $220,000.