AUCKLAND, New Zealand - No.7 seed Jelena Ostapenko won the opening set of the first ASB Classic semifinal before symptoms of a viral illness proved too much, forcing the Latvian youngster to retire as Davis led, 4-6, 6-4, 4-1.

"Today, I woke up in the morning with a fever, coughing and everything. I felt much worse today than yesterday," she told press after the match. "I tried to play the match but it was very difficult because I wasn't feeling good at all. She was playing good but I had chances to win the match in the second set. I didn't, and unfortunately I couldn't finish the tournament."

 

 

Ostapenko had been in solid form all week in New Zealand - reaching the semifinals in both singles and doubles - and enjoyed an impressive start in the opening set, racing out to a double break lead before ultimately serving it out to love.

Davis acquitted herself much better in the second, taking a 4-1 lead and holding off a late surge from the Latvian to level the match.

 

 

"During the match, I felt my throat was very painful, and my concentration wasn't good. I wanted to play but I couldn't because I'm sick."

Awaiting Davis in what will be her third career WTA final is Ana Konjuh, who outlasted 2016 ASB Classic runner-up Julia Goerges, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.