MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA) – Naomi Osaka ended Serena Williams’ pursuit of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title in a power-packed match on Thursday, taking the American great with a 6-3 6-4 to reach her second Australian Open final.
Osaka underscored her status as the new queen of women’s tennis, as she was greeted by cheers galore from the Rod Laver Arena crowd. Fans returned to the Grand Slam after a five-day lockdown.
Three-times Grand Slam champion Osaka will now meet the winner of Jennifer Brady and Karolina Muchova in the title match.
Osaka on court said, “I did a lot of unforced errors in the first few games. I was really nervous and scared in the beginning and then I sort of eased my way into it.”
“It’s just always an honour to play her and I just didn’t want to go out really dud. I just wanted to try my best.”
Williams was ahead of Osaka in the opening game, however, the latter bounced back with five straight games before closing out the set with an out-and-out forehand winner.
A determined Osaka took Williams’ serve in the first game of the second set. However, the audience saw her falter with three double-faults to allow the American to get back to a 4-4.
Williams then saw a double-fault on the next service game handing over Osaka three break points.
Osaka converted the first then closed out the match when Williams witnessed a thud into the net.
