Australian Open 2021: Merciless Naomi Osaka stops Serena Williams
Naomi Osaka has made it into the final of the Australian Open for the second time after 2019. The Japanese defeated Serena Williams 6: 3 and 6: 4.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Feb 18, 2021, 05:36 am
Naomi Osaka wins and wins and wins. The Japanese have now won 13 matches at Grand Slam tournaments in a row. The last victim was Serena Williams on Thursday in Melbourne, who lost Osaka 3: 6 and 4: 6. The US-American failed again just before her big goal, a 24th major title. Most recently, Serena made it to the semi-finals of the US Open 2020, but lost to Victoria Azarenka . Which then drew the short straw against Osaka.
Williams started well, got an early break. Osaka is seldom impressed by backlogs, however, in the round of 16 she fought off two match points against Garbine Muguruza . The 23-year-old also stayed calm against Williams. Osaka was incredibly stable on the defensive. And if necessary, set the pace with serve and forehand. And Osaka's flat backhandball - whether cross or longline - caused massive problems for Williams.
Osaka in the final against Brady or Muchova
At the beginning of the second movement, Serena tried to push herself acoustically - it only helped briefly. Osaka started with a break, Williams looked helplessly in the direction of their box for the first time. The viewers, who were allowed to return to Melbourne Park this Thursday after the five-day lockdown, wanted to see more tennis, supported the 39-year-old American loudly. But they also honored the strong presentation of the 2019 winner. Osaka showed nerves in the eighth game, initially inviting Williams to rebreak with two double errors. The third sealed the 4: 4.
Osaka hit back immediately, taking Serena's serve to zero. And served confidently after 74 minutes of playing time. She started very nervously, Osaka said in an on-court interview with Jim Courier. After all, she and Serena would meet her childhood idol.
So Naomi Osaka got her third win in the fourth official match against Serena Williams. In any case, the final on Saturday is against a debutante: Neither Jennifer Brady norKarolina Muchova have reached the final of a Grand Slam tournament to date.
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