Watson reaches semis

HEATHER WATSON is within two wins of her maiden WTA Tour title.

In Osaka today she defeated France's Pauline Parmentier 7-5, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of an unpredictable Japan Open.

Watson, who took two minutes under two hours to clinch victory and is now the only Briton left in the event, will play Japan's Misaki Doi, the world number 123.