Thank you very much for joining me. I will be back for the second men’s semi-final tomorrow bright and early. For now, here is today’s report.
There was plenty of good tennis in Melbourne today.
"The thumbs up from Novak Djokovic tells you how good it was!" 👍
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) February 18, 2021
Aslan Karatsev showing why he's an #AusOpen semi-finalist 💪 pic.twitter.com/KVCaAatKok
Here is what happened in the women’s semi-finals.
Djokovic: “We need to give him a hand. Huge congratulations to him, he has made the semi-finals (from qualifying), I never thought I would see that in history.
“This is the best I have felt in the entire tournament. My best match so far.
“I will practise one of the two days [before the final]. I am feeling well, I have had enough match play and practise.”
Djokovic says he will “take the popcorn” and enjoy watching the second semi-final.
Karatsev certainly showed that he has plenty of quality, only to fall short to one of the greats of the sport. What a tournament he has had. There is no disgrace in losing to Djokovic in straight sets and he certainly made the Serb work hard for it.
GAME, SET AND MATCH DJOKOVIC!
Third set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-4 6-2 Aslan Karatsev The opening return does not even reach the net. A double fault, however, levels things up. An ace moves Djokovic to match point, which he takes with another ace down the middle. GAME, SET AND MATCH DJOKOVIC.
Third set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-4 5-2 Aslan Karatsev* The Russian opens up with an ace, only for Djokovic to leap for a forehand which he sends into open court to make it 15-15. Karatsev moves towards the net but he aims too low and catches the net. A poor backhand gifts Djokovic break point, which he gratefully accepts. Djokovic will now serve for the match.
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Third set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-4 4-2 Aslan Karatsev An ace straight down the middle makes it 30-0. No messing about from Djokovic. A brisk rally concludes with Karatsev pinging a forehand just long. The net bulges from a Djokovic forehand to give Karatsev hope, only for that to be dashed a game-winning ace.
Third set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-4 3-2 Aslan Karatsev* Djokovic looks a little frustrated, not helped by sending a return beyond the baseline. His mood is improved by a Karatsev forehand hitting the net. Karatsev comes to the net but he cannot better Djokovic who reads the volley and moves forward to flick the ball into space. Djokovic gets two break points but he only needs one as Karatsev crunches the net with a forehand.
Third set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-4 2-2 Aslan Karatsev Things move to 15-15 after a block return from Karatsev is pinged long by Djokovic’s backhand. A strong flick of the wrist from Karatsev makes it 15-30 and he gets break point after Djokovic sends one wide across court. The Serb is broken as Karatsev ferociously forehands the ball to Djokovic’s right.
Third set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-4 2-1 Aslan Karatsev* The Russian is still putting in the effort and energy, getting his reward at the net as he passes Djokovic with a backhand after moving his opponent around the court. Karatsev holds without dropping a point.
Third set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-4 2-0 Aslan Karatsev Djokovic breezes into a 30-0 lead, with this match only going on way now. Although, the Serb then sends one well wide. He recovers by winning a considerable rally, before finishing the job with an ace.
Third set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-4 1-0 Aslan Karatsev* Djokovic takes the first point while Eurosport are on a break. The second goes to the Serb, too, as Karatsev completely miscues one. It is 0-40 when the Russia pings a backhand long. A fine serve and then backhand from Karatsev get him on the board in the third set but he then whacks a forehand against the top of the net, sending it wide as a result, to give the break to Djokovic.
Djokovic wins second set
Second set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-4 Aslan Karatsev A second chance for Djokovic to serve for the set begins with an ace, his 11th of the match. Djokovic opens up his body for a forehand which Karatsev can only send wide in response. Djokovic loses his first of two set points. The second produces a very long rally which ends when Karatsev lifts one just over the net from the baseline and a sprinting Djokovic only succeeds in tapping the ball into the net. It is advantage Karatsev he stretches his arm almost out of the socket to return a powerful serve across Dojokvic. Things return to deuce as Karatsev cannot replicate this previous shot. Djokovic hits the net to give his opponent break point again, although a fine ace ensures it is not taken. Djokovic has another chance to secure the set as Karatsev pings a forehand long. Djokovic punches the air when the Russian mishits the next one to lift it long. The Serb goes back to his seat shouting ‘oh yeah’. That was a very tough set in the end.
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Second set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-4 Aslan Karatsev* Djokovic stretches to return a wicked serve and sends it just wide. Things are all even after Karatsev pings one long, though. Djokovic clips the net and the ball trickles the other side for a lucky point. The Serb apologies profusely but he must be secretly very happy with that. Karatsev shows his mettle to move ahead at 40-30. We got to deuce as Djokovic lands the ball on the line out of Karatsev’s reach. An ace earns the advantage and Karatsev secures the game after Djokovic loops a backhand long.
Second set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 5-3 Aslan Karatsev A backhand into the net is not the ideal start for Djokovic as he looks to seal the second set, although it is only his third unforced error of the match. Karatsev lifts the ball long with a backhand to level things up. A powerful forehand is sent beyond the baseline by Djokovic, which could be seen as another unforced error. Is he too relaxed? Maybe, as he then hits his first double fault of the match. Karatsev’s first break point becomes deuce as he sends a forehand wide when looking for a winner. The Russian earns the advantage with a more successful version of his previous shot. Djokovic hits the net with a backhand from the back of court to give Karatsev the break!
Updated
Second set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-2 Aslan Karatsev* Djokovic sprints to caress a backhand over the net to take the first point. Karatsev bounces back to take the next two points, followed by an ace. The Russian takes the game after Djokovic sends a backhand long from the baseline.
Second set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 5-1 Aslan Karatsev There is a lack of energy in Karatsev’s game as he casually lobs a return to Djokovic’s forehand, which is dispatched. An ace moves Djokovic to 0-40 and the same method secures the hold of serve.
Updated
Second set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-1 Aslan Karatsev* A weak backhand from Karatsev hits the net to make it 0-30. A ripping forehand from Djokovic bounces at the feet of Karatsev and the Russian cannot return it. Djokovic breaks to love and this is looking all but over.
Second set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 3-1 Aslan Karatsev An opening ace sets the tone for Djokovic’s service game. This match is only going one at the moment, as proved by a stunning crunching backhand by Djokovic which kisses the line to make it 40-0. Karatsev gets one back after the ball clips the net and he then taps a winner from Djokovic’s return. A wide backhand from Karatsev gives the game to Djokovic.
Second set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 2-1 Aslan Karatsev* The Russian opens himself to smash a forehand but it bounces the wrong side of the line. Djokovic shows his class with a backhand across Karatsev to make it 0-30. The break is completed with a double fault, which is a shame.
Second set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 1-1 Aslan Karatsev No messing about from Djokovic as he races to 30-0. Karatsev battles back, forcing Djokovic to loop a backhand to be smashed back by the Russian for a winner. Djokovic maintains calm to complete the win, though.
Second set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 0-1 Aslan Karatsev* The Russian leaps into the air to smash a winner to kickstart his service game. A fine rally concludes with Djokovic lifting a shot from the baseline wide to Karatsev’s right. The Russian is looking good once more as he wins with a cracking forehand smash of a bouncing ball.
Updated
Djokovic wins first set
First set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 Aslan Karatsev The Russian smashes a backhand into the net. He looks to be lacking a bit of his early energy now, which is fair enough after a long tournament. Karatsev’s backhand is causing him a few problems has it seems to be attracted to the net. An ace gives Djokovic set point which he wins with another ace.
First set: Novak Djokovic 5-3 Aslan Karatsev* Djokovic makes the most of the new balls with some smashing shots, in every sense. The Serb goes to 0-40 thanks to some loose shots from Karatsev. An even looser backhand goes wide to gift Djokovic the break!
First set: Novak Djokovic* 4-3 Aslan Karatsev Djokovic is looking quite annoyed and is demanding quicker from the ball boys and girls. Karatsev plays with Djokovic as he lobs him when it looks the point is going the Serb’s way, with the rally ending as the Russian smashes a winner. Djokovic harnesses his energy positively to win the game. First set is on serve.
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First set: Novak Djokovic 3-3 Aslan Karatsev* A first double fault from Karatsev opens his service game. Djokovic looks to have upped it a little now and his slapped forehand cannot be returned successfully by Karatsev who sends it high and long. The Russian bounces back with the next point to make it 15-30 and then a forehand smash levels it. Karatsev has plenty of power and energy making things tough for Djokovic as he produces a couple of incredible shots to take the game.
First set: Novak Djokovic* 3-2 Aslan Karatsev Djokovic whacks the ball into the net but comes up big with his next serve, forcing Karatsev to stretch and send a forehand wide. An ace follows. A baseline rally ends with Djokovic putting too much on a backhand to make it 30-30, much to his chagrin. Djokovic is struggling with his first serves at the moment, not that it matters as Karatsev struggles with the slower second ones. Djokovic celebrates winning the game with a huge roar.
First set: Novak Djokovic 2-2 Aslan Karatsev* The Russian looks very composed and is producing some big serves to put Djokovic under pressure. Karatsev goes 30-0 up with an ace down the middle and then wins the next point with a lovely backhand volley at the net after a fine rally. Djokovic fights back to take the next two points from the baseline. Karatsev does not bow to the pressure and smashes the ball into space to win the game.
First set: Novak Djokovic* 2-1 Aslan Karatsev There is a little bit more pressure on Djokovic now the crowd is showing its preference. He smashes a backhand very wide and very long to lose the first point of his serve. This is followed by a light-hearted moment of a butterfly trying to land on the Serb. Inspired by his winged friend, Djokovic bounces back to win the next two points, only to see Karatsev smash a cross-court win on the stretch to level things up. What a shot! It does not matter in the end as Djokovic holds his nerve and serve.
First set: Novak Djokovic 1-1 Aslan Karatsev* The first rally of the match ends with the Russian hitting the ball long. Karatsev finally gets a point on the board at 15-15 after Djokovic stretches to return a serve and sends it long. There seems to be plenty of support for the underdog in the crowd as they celebrate his every point on his way to winning the game.
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First set: Novak Djokovic* 1-0 Aslan Karatsev Djokovic serves the opening game. The Serb makes light work of his opponent as he does not drop a single point, including a couple of aces.
Updated
“Karatsev’s total career earnings stands at less than $800,000. Even if he loses this semi-final, he will more than double that at Melbourne Park.” Not a bad couple of weeks either way.
Young Max, who must be about eight years old, is asked who he would like to choose on the coin toss. He doesn’t even give Karatsev a second look. A bad start for the Russian.
The players are heading out onto court with a crowd dotted around the stands. It is good to see people are allowed in today to witness this match.
Karatsev is one helluva task ahead of him. The world No 114 is the lowest-ranked man to reach the Australian Open semis since Patrick McEnroe (also No 114) in 1991, and the lowest to make the final four of any major since Goran Ivanisevic (No 125), who won Wimbledon as a wildcard in 2001.
Djokovic, for a man with an abdominal injury, seems to be doing a pretty intensive pre-match workout on his core. I wouldn’t advise doing that with a gym ball.
Novak Djokovic says he was “emotionally drained” by his victory over Alexander Zverev in the quarters.
“Down to the very last shot it was anybody’s match,” said Djokovic, who has never lost when he has reached the last four in Melbourne. “A lot of nerves out there, a lot of pressure. Emotionally I feel a little bit drained. It was a great battle. We pushed each other to the limit.”
Will this help Karatsev today?
Thanks Emma. I confirm I am as awake as any man looking after a nine-week-old baby. I assume we are all here to see an upset but I suspect not many of us are too hopeful of seeing one.
I shall bid you all farewell now and hand you over to Will Unwin, who is just waking up in London in time to guide you through the evening’s action. It’s been a pleasure as always.
Not long now until another massive semi-final, this time between Novak Djokovic and Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev.
Here is a preview ICYMI, which is mostly about the absurd contrast between these two players.
And to recap on Osaka’s commanding win over Williams herein Jonathan Howcroft’s report.
AAP has a nice little snippet of the Osaka v Brady clash:
HOW NAOMI OSAKA AND JENNIFER BRADY SHAPE UP AHEAD OF THEIR AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL ON SATURDAY NIGHT:
3-NAOMI OSAKA (JPN) leads 22-JENNIFER BRADY (USA) 2-1 (1-0 at grand slams)
2020 US Open, hard, SF, Osaka 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 6-3
2018 Charleston, clay, R64, Osaka 6-4 6-4
2014 New Braunfels, hard, R32, Brady 6-4 6-4
NAOMI OSAKA (JPN)
Age: 23
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US17,770,234
Career titles: 6
Grand slam titles: 3 (Australian Open 2019; US Open 2018, 2020)
Australian Open win-loss record: 21-4
Best Australian Open results: champion 2019, finalist 2021
JENNIFER BRADY (USA)
Age: 25
Ranking: 24
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US2,014,115
Career titles: 1
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 9-3
Best Australian Open result: finalist 2021
And we have finally found some footage of that gut-wrenching Serena Williams press conference.
After her semifinal loss to Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams leaves the pressroom in tears.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/g95Fva006O
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) February 18, 2021
Here is the moment ...
WHAT A MOMENT! 🙌
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 18, 2021
Pushed RIGHT to the end... Breathe it in, you deserved that. 🇺🇸
WATCH: @Channel9
STREAM: https://t.co/TYsz5RZN3Z #9WWOS #AusOpen #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/Fgnm45GDEN
I’ve typed a marathon, but Brady has played one. She came and she conquered, and now she’s talking to Casey Dellacqua.
“I can’t feel my legs. My legs are shaking, my heart is racing. I’m ... I don’t have words,” she says to applause.
“After the first set I was, ‘OK, let’s try and focus here’. I came out a little. I don’t know, was feeling a little strange today. Was super excited, but at the same time pretty flat-footed. My legs felt fresh but I felt like I was stuck in mud. I didn’t really pick up, you know, my intensity until the beginning of the third set.”
And on facing Osaka in the final:
“I’m obviously pretty excited to be in the finals here at the Australian Open. It’s an incredible achievement. I think it will be a really tough match. Obviously she’s won a few grand slams. We had a tough match at the [2020] US Open semi-finals. I think she even said it wasof her top two matches, which was a little unfortunate for me at the time, but I think it will be a really good match.”
Jennifer Brady beats Karolina Muchova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
This might be the most important service game of Brady’s career. And she doesn’t hold back unleashing a piledriver of a serve Muchova can’t return and following it with an ace. She goes some way to undoing her good work with an unforced error but more than makes up for it with some of highest-quality shots of this match. One shot should be a winner, but it’s not purely because of Muchova’s nerve. But she finds her opening to set up two match points.
Brady is engaging with the fans now, needing everything. She cedes one match point and the second, oh my. She thinks she has won it but as she sinks to her knees the ball is called out. Apparently it is by 7mm. In an instant, her opening is gone. Muchova works for two break points and Brady literally cannot stop shaking her head. This is longest game of the match already and deuce No 3 becomes a third match point. Can she convert it this time? She faults, then falters after a bold return that pays dividends for Muchova, who is in a tight spot but still playing with freedom.
A case in point is the next point, a mini-encounter full of whooping and walloping and a Muchova volley that gives her an advantage. When will this end? Not yet. Deuce No 5 brings a cracker of a serve and Brady is working the top spin while Muchova opts for the slice. Brady hasher fourth match point. Ten minutes and counting. Fault, followed by another breathtaking, edge-of-your-seat rally. HOW IS MUCHOVA STILL IN THIS? Not only that, how is she still playing with such freedom, under such pressure? But she loses the advantage again. Brady has a fifth match point and again she faults. A pattern is developing here. This time, though, Muchova cracks. Brady sees the error and is on her knees and then her back.
The American 22nd seed is through to her first grand slam final and will face Naomi Osaka on Saturday in pursuit of the trophy. That may have been the most gripping match of the tournament, and there have been a few.
Third set: Karolina Muchova* 4-6 6-3 4-5 Jennifer Brady You could hear a pin drop in Rod Laver Arena. To be fair, it’s not like there are many people to make meaningful noise, but the tension is palpable. Muchova is serving to stay in the Australian Open. Brady is matching her point for point until an inexplicable wild swing wide on return allows Muchova to live to fight another day.
Third set: Karolina Muchova 4-6 6-3 3-5 Jennifer Brady* A thrilling point ensues featuring just about everything, including a ground stroke from Brady that surely must have only nicked the outside of the baseline. But then the American is caught deep by a back-bending drop shot and she just about makes it but slips. But power abounds, and the chair umpire is soon wincing again as another ball rockets her way. Brady’s serve is under pressure. Muchova isn’t giving an inch, until she gives a little bit more than that and her head is in her hands. It might be in one more game.
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Third set: Karolina Muchova* 4-6 6-3 3-4 Jennifer Brady Muchova has something to say about that to the tune of 40-0. Until, that is, she slaps down two unforced errors. If Brady can break again she’ll serve for the match. But a bullet of a serve and a return of return heavy on top spin takes care of that little hiccup.
Third set: Karolina Muchova 4-6 6-3 2-4 Jennifer Brady* Even under the pump, Brady is not sacrificing on agility. For this game at least, it overcomes Muchova’s raw grit. She is consolidating, readying for the final push.
Third set: Karolina Muchova* 4-6 6-3 2-3 Jennifer Brady Had Muchova fallen victim to another break here you would predict that may have been it for her tournament. She does not.
Third set: Karolina Muchova 4-6 6-3 1-3 Jennifer Brady* A hold to love makes for the ultimate consolidation. A penny for the thoughts of both players, who are each under a different kind of pressure now. Brady to not choke, Muchova to make Brady choke.
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Third set: Karolina Muchova* 4-6 6-3 1-2 Jennifer Brady Wow, what a turn in fortunes this game has been. Brady sorely needed a breakthrough and it arrives. She flies to 0-30 before Muchova makes a couple of mistakes and all of a sudden there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Win four more and she will be back here for the final.
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Third set: Karolina Muchova 4-6 6-3 1-1 Jennifer Brady* Brady goes down 0-15 but does not cede a point thereafter and levels with an ace.
Third set: Karolina Muchova* 4-6 6-3 1-0 Jennifer Brady In line with this, a hold to love kicks off the deciding set.
Second set: Karolina Muchova 4-6 6-3 Jennifer Brady* Brady thinks she is controlling a rally by she’s not ready for the backspin coming her way and 40-15 has turned into deuce. A good forehand give Muchova the advantage before Brady echoes her opponent by double faulting her way to a set loss. The Muchova comeback is under way. It’s almost like she’s done this before Oh wait ...
Second set: Karolina Muchova* 4-6 5-3 Jennifer Brady How about those quick hands! Muchova serves then approaches the net. Brady opts for something less than fantastic and her Czech opponent manages to absorb the ball’s pace and place a drop volley out of reach. She holds to love.
Second set: Karolina Muchova 4-6 4-3 Jennifer Brady* Muchova has picked up a new racket during the change of ends but it’s Brady who means business now with a searing serve that yields three game points. Now she cedes one after attempting to rush matters and has a word with herself. There’s “I’m not angry, I’m disappointed” vibes as she shakes her head. It doesn’t matter – she converts the next.
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Second set: Karolina Muchova* 4-6 4-2 Jennifer Brady Muchova is making her first serve count big time. Up 30-0, she loses her very first point on serve this set courtesy of a strong Brady return. But the relief does not last long for the American, who is swishing at her strings after a less-than-desirable rally.
Second set: Karolina Muchova 4-6 3-2 Jennifer Brady* Brady follows suit, finishing with a second serve of 181km/h if you don’t mind.
Second set: Karolina Muchova* 4-6 3-1 Jennifer Brady Muchova holds to love.
Second set: Karolina Muchova 4-6 2-1 Jennifer Brady* At the risk of jumping the gun or spoiling plot, there’s a sense Osaka would be too strong for either player on the court right now. Of course, that is jumping the gun big time. Muchova beat Barty and Brady has been strong throughout the tournament. Just something to think on.
Second set: Karolina Muchova* 4-6 2-0 Jennifer Brady Muchova skips to a hold to love with an energy indicating she very much intends to push this to a deciding stanza.
Second set: Karolina Muchova 4-6 1-0 Jennifer Brady* As the second set gets under way it has emerged Williams left her press conference in tears when asked what went wrong in her semi-final with Osaka and whether this would be her last Australian Open.
“If I was saying farewell, I wouldn’t tell anyone,” she said.
Here is Jonathan Howcroft’s report of that match.
Updated
First set: Karolina Muchova* 4-6 Jennifer Brady Bit of a war of attrition this game. Until 30-40, that is, when Muchova gets the yips and serves her first double fault of the match. That’s the first set done and dusted.
First set: Karolina Muchova 4-5 Jennifer Brady* This could be a bit of a moment in this match. Muchova has more to say in Brady’s service game than her opponent, highlighted by a wonderful backhand passing shot she takes on the back foot. But Brady has fought back from 0-30 has a game point she converts. Apart from that uneven unforced error count it is hard to pick who has the edge in this match. To wit, it is 24 points apiece as of now.
First set: Karolina Muchova* 4-4 Jennifer Brady Muchova, though, is composed. She has an ace, and Brady her 16th unforced error (to Muchova’s five). The hold is to love.
First set: Karolina Muchova 3-4 Jennifer Brady* Muchova has an opening at 15-30 but Brady’s serve is too strong and the return is short, landing inside the service box just waiting for a winner. The next rally is a long one. Muchova doesn’t like this – she wins or loses 70% of all her points in the first four shots – and she diverts the ball into the net. She does that again a couple of points later, which will get her punished against Brady and even more punished against someone like Osaka, should she make the final.
First set: Karolina Muchova* 3-3 Jennifer Brady Brady is piling on the unforced errors. Her accuracy is off and it’s bleeding points. Even when she gets them back, Muchova has a response and she is making the American run for an less-preferable backhand which she only just makes contact with and which Muchova smashes down the other side.
First set: Karolina Muchova 2-3 Jennifer Brady* The pair are trading groundstrokes and Brady clearly prefers her forehand, running around the ball a lot of the time it comes down the left-hand side of the court. That’s for good reason but it also leaves her line somewhat open and Muchova has a backhand to deal with this. Muchova presses the issue but her opponent holds.
First set: Karolina Muchova* 2-2 Jennifer Brady She does with ease via some clever shot selection and helped on her way with a couple of mistakes from Brady. No points dropped.
First set: Karolina Muchova 1-2 Jennifer Brady* There are some vicious shots flying around here. One narrowly misses a ball boy, and one point later the chair umpire is flinching. The power is coming both ways but Muchova has the edge in a game chock full of unforced errors. Brady is down a break point and double faults. If Muchova can hold the set will be back on serve.
First set: Karolina Muchova* 0-2 Jennifer Brady Well well. Brady has inflicted her first break already, dropping only one point on the way.
It’s 32 degrees at Melbourne Park right now and the players are no doubt feeling it. Muchova especially seeing as the Czech 25th seed only played yesterday, when she shocked Ash Barty after a lengthy medical timeout that changed the course of that match.
First set: Karolina Muchova 0-1 Jennifer Brady* Muchova and Brady have just started their clash with the latter holding serve to love.
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Here are a few highlight reels from that encounter that did not last long enough.
🇯🇵 1-0 🇺🇸
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 18, 2021
Naomi Osaka takes the first set against Serena Williams! 💪
WATCH: @Channel9
STREAM: https://t.co/TYsz5RZN3Z#9WWOS #AusOpen #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/GtOuZHUHir
Serena is PUMPED! 😤
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 18, 2021
WATCH: @Channel9
STREAM: https://t.co/TYsz5RZN3Z#9WWOS #AusOpen #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/WBrdDPyKnv
Naomi Osaka is back in the #AusOpen FINAL! 🏆
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 18, 2021
WATCH: @Channel9
STREAM: https://t.co/TYsz5RZN3Z#9WWOS #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/i1yKDdjj4m
For the superstitious types out there, Osaka reveals she ate Greek food last night which broke her tradition of eating Japanese food on the eve of a match.
“Then I went to sleep and I woke up and TT [Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas] beat Nadal and I thought maybe this is a sign, maybe I should keep eating Greek food.”
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Osaka, calm and composed, is talking about Williams, a childhood idol, and admits she was “nervous and scared in the beginning”.
Then I sort of eased my way into it. For me, I think the biggest thing is just having fun and it’s the first day having the crowd in a while ... it’s always an honour to play her. I just didn’t want to go out like really bad, so I just wanted to try my best.
“I don’t know if there’s any little kids out here today, but I was a little kid watching her play and just to be on the court playing against her for me is a dream. I think the biggest thing that I’ve learned over the years is just like, you know, you’re competitive, you’re playing against another competitor. That itself is the funnest part because tennis is a game.”
Had she worked out Serena’s serve? Apparently not.
“I was just guessing. It was either going this way or that way, I’ve just got to put my foot somewhere.”
"It was an honour to play her."@naomiosaka's admiration of @serenawilliams is all of us.#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/v3npw6DCId
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 18, 2021
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Naomi Osaka beats Serena Williams 6-3, 6-4
A hold of serve will do the trick. Osaka knows it too, by the look of the way she is bouncing at the baseline, readying to serve and making no mistakes this time. An ace precedes three more successful points and Osaka is the first through to the final of the women’s singles. There is clearly a lot of respect behind the pair as they meet at the net but the road ends here for Williams.
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Second set: Naomi Osaka 6-3 5-4 Serena Williams* Hasn’t this taken a turn. But wait, for Osaka has landed a superb backhand near the service line and is up 0-30. Williams falls prey to a double fault this time and no sooner has she delivered her next serve Osaka is dictating play, running the American about and sealing this break to love with an acutely angled backhand.
Second set: Naomi Osaka* 6-3 4-4 Serena Williams Oh my, two double faults. It’s 0-40 and Williams has three break points. Convert one and she will restore parity. The first goes begging and so does the second when Osaka serve-volleys and forces a back-foot lob from Williams that is closer to the moon than the court. Osaka double faults again. Yikes, that’s three in one game. Her face says nothing but also everything. If blank stares could kill.
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Second set: Naomi Osaka 6-3 4-3 Serena Williams* Williams obliges with a service game to haunt the dreams of any in her way (12% of men, in particular), and drops one point en route to a hold.
Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha writes in: “Osaka has control over her emotions and she doesn’t consider herself as winner before the match,” he emails. “Serena loses control over her emotions.”
Second set: Naomi Osaka* 6-3 4-2 Serena Williams Speaking of the other semi-finalists, Brady and Muchova are already warming up as if this could be over quite soon. And it might be, for Osaka holds comfortably and wraps up the game with an ace. Williams needs to find something or her quest for a 24th grand slam singles title will slip away.
Second set: Naomi Osaka 6-3 3-2 Serena Williams* The commentators are wondering whether Serena is second-guessing herself because she is treating this like a final rather than a semi-final. It is true that the other semi-finalists, Jennifer Brady and Karolína Muchová, are less experienced. There is also THAT US Open final, the one that shall not be named. But Williams is on the run here, both literally and figuratively speaking, and wins her service game with just one dropped point.
Second set: Naomi Osaka* 6-3 3-1 Serena Williams A half-volley has caught Osaka on the hop and she’s not in the right position, too close to lift it over the net. But she will not retreat. After all, she is maybe the biggest striker of the ball in women’s tennis. Williams is becoming frustrated with her inability to take control, shaking her head and lifting her eyes skyward in smiling vexation. Osaka double faults, but atones with a winner.
Second set: Naomi Osaka 6-3 2-1 Serena Williams* Were we talking about serving just now? It’s chalk and cheese on Rod Laver Arena. Cheese tastes nicer than chalk, so we’ll call Williams’s serve a nice piece of Mersey Valley. This is what will fuel her comeback and it the main reason she holds here, with an ace and another to follow Osaka can barely get her racket to.
Second set: Naomi Osaka* 6-3 2-0 Serena Williams A “sorry” rings out as Osaka’s ball toss goes awry and she makes the second, but Williams, who has been allowing her counterpart quite a bit of leeway with shots through the middle of the court, whips a return down the line. Given Osaka is landing only 41% of her first serves this is a frailty there for the taking. A hold consolidates Osaka’s position.
Second set: Naomi Osaka 6-3 1-0 Serena Williams* Williams needs to rein in the unforced errors. They are racking up too quickly and offsetting the stronger elements of her game. To a certain extent, Osaka has been guilty of this too, but she is making her backhand count, one of which secures a third break of Serena’s serve. My my.
First set: Naomi Osaka* 6-3 Serena Williams Osaka is muttering to herself now. She’s at the baseline, up 30-0, releasing that high ball and faulting. Never mind, one more in the bank. The second serve is straight in the net. This is the inconsistency letting down both players, evidenced in the very next point when Osaka lands a first serve that rebounds off Williams’s frame and goes one 10th of nowhere. Osaka is on the front foot now and the ball is at her forehand, then travelling back the other way with enough vigour to close out the set.
First set: Naomi Osaka 5-3 Serena Williams* Say what you like, Serena has a serve to singe the hairs off your nose. I know everybody keeps banging on about her age but I’m sort of on that bandwagon, because the 39-year-old has just thrown down a brutal ace. She is leading 30-0 and under pressure to stay in this set. She cedes one point and holds.
First set: Naomi Osaka* 5-2 Serena Williams This is turning into a bit of a clinic. That confidence plastered across Serena’s face in those opening two games has undergone some sort of transference to the other end of the court, where Osaka has rediscovered the mettle that got her to the semi-finals in the first place. She leads 30-0. She aces. Williams makes her 15th unforced error and Osaka has recovered to claim five consecutive games.
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First set: Naomi Osaka 4-2 Serena Williams* Shot! That backhand passing shot is exquisite and duly gives Osaka two break points. She had Williams, 16 years her senior, harrying and hassling, then stretching in vein for a deep crosscourt shot the American lays on a platter for the winner. One forehand winner later and she has a second break!
First set: Naomi Osaka* 3-2 Serena Williams The first set is back on serve and Osaka is keen to keep it that way even if her first serve is not. Williams is wise to the wide second serve and she is turning rallies back onto the reigning US Open champion. Osaka saves two break points and while she does well to hold from deuce, part of can be attributed to mistakes from Williams when she had the upper hand.
First set: Naomi Osaka 2-2 Serena Williams* This is the sting we’ve been been waiting for from Osaka. She’s biting back, striking the ball at shoulder height as Serena tries to hit her where it hurts with that intimidating top spin. At deuce, Williams appears set for an advantage when her shot fortuitously catches the net and pops over but Osaka is there and the ball has whirred past her opponent before she knows which move to make next. Osaka converts her break point and this contest is starting to offer some of the intrigue it promised.
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First set: Naomi Osaka* 1-2 Serena Williams Osaka has the advantage and finally gets herself on the scoreboard. This game has see-sawed a little with a few unforced errors in the mix. And the Japanese star double faults. She’s nervy, a little flustered. But a signature ace sees her through.
First set: Naomi Osaka 0-2 Serena Williams* Osaka has clearly not yet found a rhythm. Perhaps more accurately, she hasn’t been given a chance for Williams is the aggressor in pursuit of a 30th grand slam final and 24th singles title, racing to 40-0 via a rally that ends with a smash. An unforced error gifts Osaka a lifeline but this is the only error.
First set: Naomi Osaka* 0-1 Serena Williams What an opening game from Williams. Osaka is serving with power but the American is matching and raising her. She has two break points and needs only one. What an early statement.
And here they are (courtesy also of a quick refresh of my feed), being introduced and warming up. Not long to go.
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Well the players are still yet to emerge at centre court despite it being past 2pm. We can see via the broadcast feed the are warming up in the changerooms below.
And here is something reading while you wait to tickle your tastebuds ahead of tonight’s match between Novak Djokovic and THAT Russian qualifier named Aslan. He also has a surname, Karatsev, but he honestly doesn’t need it.
For those who did not watch the 2018 US Open final, this pair have endured controversy while on the court together. In that decider at Flushing Meadows, where Williams, having received three pivotal code violations, called the chair umpire a “thief” and imploded in the second set while Osaka held her nerve to win. Williams then had to stop fans booing throughout Osaka’s trophy ceremony.
Of course, that was basically the first thing Williams was asked after beating Simona Halep in the quarterfinals Tuesday, and only had praise for Osaka.
“I’ve been watching her and I’m sure she’s been watching me, and I feel like this is such a good opportunity for me to keep doing my best,” she said.
The pair have faced each other in the interim, with Williams beating Osaka emphatically in Toronto in 2019.
In other words, this could be anyone’s.
It is picture perfect at Melbourne Park today. The temperature is around 30C, kept in check by a gentle breeze rustling the leaves in the stately gum trees beside court 5. In Garden Square attendees are lounging beside a puttering fountain. There is a relaxed holiday mood around the precinct following the five-day lockdown.
For the first time this event there are attendees milling freely around the grounds. The three walled zones have been removed with only two venues now in use for the business end of the tournament. Instead, crowds are capped each session at 7,477. Most of those for this daylight portion are about to enter Rod Laver Arena for the women’s semi-final between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams.
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Preamble
The sun is shining. The mercury’s hovering around the 30C mark. There are no new locally-acquired Covid cases in Victoria once again. And crowds have been allowed back into Melbourne Park for the first time in five days of empty stands. You could say that things are pretty sweet at the Australian Open on day 11 of the year’s first grand slam. How could things possibly get any better? What’s that, you say? A mouthwatering women’s semi-final featuring two of the best and most entertaining players on the planet? Oh lordy, yes please.
Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka are first up on Rod Laver Arena today, where they will scrap it out for a place in Saturday’s final. Williams, of course, is chasing a record-equalling 24th grand slam title and has given every indication so far in Melbourne that this could well be the tournament where she finally draws level with Margaret Court.
*So* many sizzling points have been ended by @serenawilliams' racquet this fortnight.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 18, 2021
Here's 3️⃣! #AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/70wVNFGFJw
But there’s a sizeable obstacle in her way in the form of Osaka, who has equally been in top form and looks capable of adding a fourth grand slam title to her burgeoning collection. It’s a potential classic in the making. Do not go anywhere.
Hot on their heels are Jennifer Brady and Karolína Muchová, in what is, it’s fair to say, a far less widely anticipated encounter, although one that is none the less intriguing. And rounding off the day’s play this evening is men’s No 1 Novak Djokovic and Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev.
Strap yourselves in. And do get in touch if you like; email emma.kemp@theguardian.com or tweet @emmavkemp.
