Naomi Osaka is into another final at the Australian Open after ending the run of Serena Williams who was once again looking for grand slam title number 24 but couldn’t get the job done.
The third seed held her nerve to prevail 6-3, 6-4, on the Rod Laver Arena as she overwhelmed the more experienced Williams. Osaka broke the American four times during the match who only managed to get 46% of her first serves in. Even more problematic for Williams was the fact she hit twice more unforced errors than winners (12-24).
“I don’t know if there’s any little kids out here today, but I was a little kid watching her play,” Osaka said of Williams on court after the win. “Just to be on the court playing against her for me is a dream.”
A slow start but a great rally
Osaka started the match on serve and it was evident she had those jitters and nerves in the first game as the number 10 seed took full advantage of that by playing her aggressive game. She earned two early breakpoints and converted with an unforced error from the number three seed.
After holding serve you could still see Osaka dealing with nerves and she would serve a double fault to give the California resident another chance to break. Osaka would manage to save it and hold serve and you started to see a change in momentum.
The next game the nerves were gone for the 23 year old and she fought hard to get herself back in the match earning breakpoints on the Americans serve and breaking back to even the match at 2-2.
Williams kept hitting back and had another breakpoint in the next game but the number three seed was up to the task of saving it and held serve for the first time in the match.
The very next game she decided to go on the offensive and earned more breakpoints after winning an amazing rally finishing the point with a sublime forehand winner.
She would break to take her first lead of the match sealing the breakpoint with another great forehand winner to take a 4-2 lead. Osaka would serve out the set to take it 6-3 with a stunning forehand winner.
Osaka finishes strong
Just like that the match had been turned on it’s head and after a fast start for the American she was down a set and was looking to turn things around.
It was Williams to get off to a slow start and she faced breakpoints again in the opening service game of the second set and was broken as the number three seed hit another cross court forehand winner that went by Williams to get the early break and a 2-0 lead.
After that both players held serve until 4-3 when the Boca Raton, Florida resident had a slow service game and double faulted to give the American three chances to break.
She would double fault the very next point and just like that the set was even at 4-4 and you thought maybe this was the comeback Williams needed to get back in the match.
Osaka responded right away in the very next game playing a great game and earning breakpoints winning some great points this time with her sensational backhand that caught the number 10 seed flat footed.
She would break to take a 5-4 lead with a cross court forehand once again and would serve for the match. The number three seed would serve it out in quick fashion not losing a point in the final game and booking a spot in the final.
After the match in the on court interview she gave her thoughts of the match.
“I hit a lot of unforced errors in the first few games, I was just nervous and scared I think in the beginning and then I sorta eased my way into it, for me the biggest thing is having fun and I think honestly for me it’s always an honour to play her and I wanted to try my best”.
Osaka will now face either Jennifer Brady in the final on Saturday with a chance to win her second Australian Open final against a player who will be making their first ever appearance in a grand slam final.
