Melbourne women’s semifinals – lightning win: Osaka robs Williams of next chance – sport

• Naomi Osaka pulled off a show of strength in the Australian Open semi-finals after 75 crystal clear minutes.
• 23 Grand Slam winner Serena Williams has to recognize her opponent’s class without envy at 3: 6, 4: 6.
• At the end of the game (Saturday, from 9:35 am live on SRF info) is the number 3 Japanese favorite in the world against Jennifer Brady (USA / WTA 24).

Naomi Osaka still floundered in Melbourne’s first semi-final at Rod Laver Arena. With a clear advantage on her back, the 23-year-old had to give 16-year-old Lenzen, Serena Williams, a chance to equalize 4: 4 in the second set. He made three double errors in losing serve.

The response to this was vehement: Osaka broke the American again immediately, and to zero! After another 4 points in a row, the Japanese had bought the final ticket. The world no.3’s famous performance wowed the spectators in the stands, who were welcomed back after a 5-day crown lock.

The so far compelling powerful woman, mother of a three and a half year old daughter, had seized the opportunity to return to this match. Only to have the balls thrown around their ears later and not be able to score a point after 75 minutes until the final verdict.

Quickly corrected nervous onset

Williams had smelled a bit of morning air early in the game. Because Osaka started erratically and was one point before a 0: 3 deficit. But he found his right foot, lined up five games won from 0: 2 and took the game with an exclamation point.

Debutante in the final

Legend:

On the ground, but actually at the height of his career.

Keystone

Osaka’s opponent in the final, 25-year-old American Jennifer Brady, made a personal run to improve at the big tournaments. Last year in New York he had made his way to the semifinals for the first time, on the thirteenth attempt. He repeated this success on the Yarra River or even surpassed it. With a 6: 4, 3: 6 and 6: 4 against Karolina Muchova (CZE / WTA 27), the other outsider in the top half of the Melbourne table, the world number 24 made her last debut at a Grand event. Slam.

Brady only showed nervousness at the end of the nearly 2-hour semi-finals. When serving on his own, he needed 5 match points to close out the sack (and had previously had to defend himself against break opportunities).

The three-time Major winner (US Open 2018 and 2020 and Melbourne 2019) is in the final at the Grand Slam level for the fourth time in her career. As a loser, she has never left the field. And in Saturday’s renewed showdown against Jennifer Brady, the Japanese is considered a candidate for the title without discussion.

With tears in front of the journalists

Williams, on the other hand, has 23 Grand Slam trophies and is still far behind the all-time record of 24 (Margaret Court). The 39-year-old has pursued this brand in vain since 2017. Time works against rather than for …

Exceptional talent is probably aware of this too. She reacted emotionally accordingly in the subsequent press conference, eventually breaking down in tears.