Naomi Osaka ended Serena Williams’ bid for a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title in a storm of power hitting on Thursday, humbling the American great 6-3 6-4 to reach her second Australian Open finals.
In a rematch of their tumultuous 2018 US Open decider, Osaka underlined her status as the new queen of women’s tennis and soaked up the cheers from the Rod Laver Arena crowd as fans returned to the Grand Slam after a five-day lockdown.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Osaka will meet the winner of Jennifer Brady and Karolina Muchova in the title match.
“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,” said Osaka on court.“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.” (Nation)