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MELBOURNE – Naomi Osaka ended Serena Williams’ bid for a record 24th The Grand Slam title in a storm of power hit Thursday, humiliating the great American (6-3, 6-4) to reach her second Australian Open final.
In a rematch of her tumultuous 2018 US Open decider, Osaka underscored her status as the new queen of women’s tennis and was drenched in cheers from the Rod Laver Arena crowd as fans returned to the Grand Slam after a five-time block. days.
Mrs. Williams, however, was left crying.
The 39-year-old woman interrupted her post-match press conference after breaking down when asked if she just had a bad day at the office.
Ms. Osaka, the 2019 champion, will meet Jennifer Brady and Karolína Muchová’s title winner as the 23-year-old aspires to claim her fourth Grand Slam crown.
“It’s always an honor to play her and I didn’t want to go really wrong. I just wanted to do my best, ”Osaka said after his 75-minute masterclass on a hot afternoon.
Ms. Williams’ record-setting bet ended with another near miss, having also reached the final of four other Grand Slams since her last major crown at the Australian Open in 2017.
She paused as she walked away as the crowd on center court cheered her on. He put his hand to his heart, smiled and saluted.
Ms Williams was asked if the gesture was intended to be a final farewell to Melbourne Park, where she holds a record seven titles in the professional era.
“I don’t know, if I ever say goodbye, I wouldn’t tell anyone, so…” he replied.
Ms. Williams and Ms. Osaka’s latest Grand Slam clash was packed with drama at Flushing Meadows in the 2018 final, with the American losing her temper with the chair umpire and fans booing during the trophy ceremony.
By comparison, Thursday’s semi-final was uneventful, although Osaka put on a tremendous show.
While Ms. Williams broke in the opening game and took a 2-0 lead, the Japanese third-seeded shrugged and won five straight games in a devastating display before closing the set with a big shot from right.
Ms. Williams started yelling at herself between points, trying to get on, but Osaka was quite a deal when she broke the American in the first game of the second set.
Ms. Osaka did not give in until she staggered with three double faults to allow the American to return to 4-4. But Williams returned the favor with a double fault in the next service game, giving Osaka three break points.
Osaka converted the first of them when he swooped in with a sumptuous backhand winner at an angle. – Reuters
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