Wimbledon champion and new world No.1 Garbine Muguruza has advanced to the semi-finals of the Pan Pacific Open with a straight-sets win over Caroline Garcia.
A rare double-fault by the top-seeded Muguruza allowed Garcia to pull even at 3-3 in the second set, but the Spaniard broke back in the next game and went on to seal a 6-2 6-4 victory on Friday.
Playing in her first tournament since earning the top women's ranking, Muguruza said: "To achieve this dream I've had since I was a child gives me a lot of confidence first.
"A boost of motivation to hold this position - because I think it's the best."
Muguruza will next face Caroline Wozniacki.
The Danish former world No.1 was leading Dominika Cibulkova 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 3-1 when the Slovakian was forced to retire due to injury.
Earlier, Angelique Kerber upset second seed Karolina Pliskova 7-6 (7-5) 7-5.
The seventh-seeded Kerber took advantage of several unforced errors by the Czech and won with a powerful crosscourt shot on her fifth match point.
"Being back in the semis here in Tokyo is a great feeling," said Kerber, who last reached the last four of the 2014 event.
"It's always tough to play against (Pliskova), so I was trying to focus on my game. I think I played a good match today."
Kerber will meet Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the semifinals. The Russian beat Barbora Strycova 5-7 6-3 6-1.
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