One of the fiercest rivalries in contemporary women’s tennis will be renewed tomorrow. The world’s #3 faces 23 time Grand Slam champion for a place in the final. It’s Serena Williams Vs Naomi Osaka – A Blockbuster Semi-Final Awaits.
Match Preview
Both players enter this match having already played outstanding Tennis to get here. Serena beat Simona Halep 6-3 6-3 in a highly-anticipated match-up to book her place in the semis. On the other hand, Osaka sliced through Hsieh 6-2 6-2 for her 19th straight win, dating back to February last year. Is it a “Final before the Final” matchup? We sure think so. It’s the perfect matchup to allow fans back in the building, as the organizers announced the return of the spectators for the semis and the final.
Serena Williams
Williams got her revenge on Simona Halep after the latter was able to beat her in the 2019 Wimbledon final. Halep wrote history back then, when she committed just three unforced errors, the fewest in a Wimbledon final since records started being kept in 1998. However, Serena was well prepared this time, as she crushed the Romanian on her way for a record-equalling 24th Major title. The American admitted that this was her best match in this tournament so far, so can she outplay herself tomorrow?
Williams and Osaka played that unforgettable US Open final in 2018 won by the Japanese back then. The 39-year-old is still going as strong as ever, losing just 1 set so far against the in-form Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round. Williams showcased how much her movement and defense has improved, as she gets ready to use that to book a place in the final tomorrow. Can she equal the record of the legendary Margaret Court by grabbing her 24th Grand Slam? To note that she has never lost a semifinal in the Australian Open in her career, winning all her eight matches so far. Williams already equaled Roger Federer’s record of 362 grand slam wins with her victory against Halep, as she looks to overcome it tomorrow.
Naomi Osaka
The Japanese smashed 7 aces and won 89% of her first-serve points in an impressive performance against Hsieh-Su Wei, on her way to this matchup. It was the first time two women of different Asian nationalities had reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal as Osaka was able to get the job done. Likewise, Osaka also dropped just one set so far, as she is playing one of the best tennis of her career.
This will be an emotional match for her, Given that she grew up watching Serena in action and considers the veteran as her idol. Her game is very close to Serena’s as well. Osaka have a strong serve, and likes to outmuscle her opponents with powerful hits. Basically she’s as aggressive as the American only younger and faster. Can she beat her idol on her way to the final? She already lifted the trophy back in 2019, so she knows what it takes to win it. Osaka is currently on a 19 match unbeaten. In addition, she has never lost a match after reaching the grand slam quarterfinals in her career so far. The only time the Japanese played Serena in a grand slam was the 2018 US Open final, which she won back then. Could she do the same in Australia?
Prediction
Serena Williams Vs Naomi Osaka – A Blockbuster Semi-Final Awaits. It’s a battle between two former World number 1’s, so no wonder if this will be the match of the tournament. Given the form both players are in and how similar their games are, this should be a close encounter. So what will it be? Will experience beat hunger? This match might go all the way, but we think Osaka have the edge over Williams, especially if she was able to control the tempo. Osaka has not lost a deciding set for over a year now, as she looks to extend that run again tomorrow.
Let us know on which side you stand in the comments below.
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