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On Thursday, on Rod Laver Arena, the 23-year-old was ruthless.
After giving Williams a 0-2 headstart to begin, Osaka took control as she rattled off five straight games in the first to win back the momentum, and take the opening set.
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Really, Osaka never looked back as she out-powered Williams and avoided being pulled into the theatre that comes with playing one of the sport’s greatest. Williams screamed at herself, shook her head, and fought to the end, but Osaka was straight-faced and unfazed.
And when Williams did get the break back in the second after Osaka bizarrely double-faulted three times with the finish line in sight, the Japanese world No. 3 fired three winners in the following game on her way to breaking the American to love.
“She’s [Osaka] the natural successor,” Sam Smith said after the match.
Osaka has now won 20 straight matches and reached a grand slam final for the fourth time after defeating Williams; a stage at which she’s never tasted defeat — a perfect three from three.
For Williams, who turns 40 this year, it was another missed opportunity in her hunt for a 24th slam after playing some of her best tennis through nearly two weeks at the Australian Open.
“Osaka is honouring her idol by dominating the tour like Serena used to,” ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne tweeted. “Doesn’t make the loss any easier to take. But game respects game.”
ESPN’s Howard Bryant added: “Electric start for Serena doused by a champion realising at this stage in time she’s a better player.”
“Serena is an icon, the greatest ever. Her quarterfinal performance against Halep was incredible, her best match in over 2 years. I wont forget that. No shame in today’s outcome,” The Athletic’s Nate Taylor tweeted.
“Naomi Osaka is clearly the best player on tour — & it’s been that way for some time. A true champion.”
Here’s some more of the best reaction...