Confident Osaka 'at ease' after storming into Australian Open semifinals

Japan's Naomi Osaka hits a return against Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei. (AFP)

Melbourne - Osaka has gone on to win the title each time she has reached the quarterfinals of a Slam

By AFP

Published: Tue 16 Feb 2021, 1:25 PM

Last updated: Tue 16 Feb 2021, 1:38 PM

World number three Naomi Osaka warned on Tuesday that she’s feeling confident and “at ease” after storming past Hsieh Su-wei in straight sets to book an Australian Open semifinal against either Serena Williams or Simona Halep.

The Japanese three-time Grand Slam champion overcame the Taiwanese world number 71’s unorthodox style 6-2, 6-2 in an all-Asian quarterfinal at a crowd-less Rod Laver Arena.

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Osaka hit 24 winners in a dominant display lasting just 66 minutes against her 35-year-old opponent, who made history by becoming the oldest woman in the Open era to debut in the quarterfinals of a Slam.

After being thrown off her rhythm early by the canny Su-wei, a focused Osaka took control and then cruised to victory in stark contrast to her fourth-round match where she needed to save two match points in a tense battle against last year’s runner-up in Australia, Garbine Muguruza.

“I think my confidence was raised after I played Muguruza the other day just because she’s such a quality opponent, and my back was against the wall,” Osaka said about coming back from 3-5 and 15-40 on her serve in the third set.

“I’m at ease with how my game is right now.

“I felt like today I told myself just to be really intense from the beginning.

“I felt like I knew what to expect and that I couldn’t afford to be lazy with my footwork or anything.

“I didn’t want to play three sets today.”

Osaka, 23, will play either 23-time Grand Slam winner Williams or world number two Halep for a place in Saturday’s final.

“Serena... someone that I feel really intimidated when I see her on the other side of the court,” said Osaka, who beat Williams in a tempestuous 2018 US Open final.

“Halep, I don’t really like playing her. She’s someone that’s really tough, someone that gets the ball back every time.

“For me, it’s definitely a mental and physical battle.

“This is kind of where guts come in. I think everyone’s very nervous, everyone wants to win.

“So managing that is definitely important.”

Osaka has gone on to win the title each time she has reached the quarterfinals of a Slam and stayed on track for a second Australian Open title, having first won it in 2019.

The defending US Open champion, however, downplayed her prior achievements, preferring to focus on being consistent.

“The fact is if I don’t reach the finals, I lose in the fourth round or the third round,” said Osaka, who is playing in her 18th Grand Slam since starting in 2016.

“For me, I’m happy to be more consistent. I think I’m being more consistent since New York, so that’s the ultimate goal for me.”

Osaka is riding a 19-match unbeaten streak dating back 12 months, but exited Melbourne Park early last year after her title defence ended with a shock loss to American teenager Coco Gauff in the third round.