World No 3 Naomi Osaka stormed past Hsieh Su-wei in straight sets Tuesday to reach the Australian Open semi-final. The Japanese three-time ...
World No 3 Naomi Osaka stormed past Hsieh Su-wei in straight sets Tuesday to reach the Australian Open semi-final. The Japanese three-time Grand Slam champion overcame the world No 71’s unorthodox style 6-2, 6-2 in an all-Asian quarter-final at a crowd-less Rod Laver Arena.
“I was pretty calm. I’m really happy how I played today,” said Osaka, who hit 24 winners in a dominant display lasting just 66 minutes against her 35-year-old opponent.
Osaka, 23, will play either 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams or world No 2 Simona Halep for a place in Saturday’s final.
Heading to the semifinals with a smile 😊 @naomiosaka was too strong for Hsieh defeating her 6-2 6-2 👏#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/IUs4jApZIc
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 16, 2021
“I normally never look at my draw but everyone’s told me about it here,” said the three-time Grand Slam champion. I always watch Serena’s matches. It’s definitely going to be a lot of fun.”
Osaka has gone on to win the title each time she has reached the quarter-finals of a Slam and stayed on track for a second Australian Open title, having first won it in 2019.
Hsieh, a renowned doubles player, has been the surprise package of the tournament and emerged as a fan favourite due to her eclectic style...
