Melbourne (AFP)

Naomi Osaka (3rd) once again broke Serena Williams' quest to win a historic 24th Grand Slam coronation in the Australian Open semifinals on Thursday in Melbourne.

The Japanese seems to be promised a fourth major trophy.

On the Rod Laver Arena bathed in sunshine and again open to the public, after the lifting of the confinement of the State of Victoria on Wednesday evening, Osaka won 6-3, 6-4 in a pile 1:15.

She will face either the American Jennifer Brady (24th) or the Czech Karolina Muchova (27th), in the final on Saturday.

Neither of his potential opponents have already played a major final.

In the evening, the world No.1 Novak Djokovic is opposed to the surprise guest Aslan Karatsev (114th), the first player in the Open era to make a place for himself in the last four from his first Grand Slam.

In the final of the US Open 2018 already, Osaka, newcomer in the top 20 and only twenty years old then, had held the shock in a match however explosive, during which Serena Williams was angry against the referee and received three warnings, the last for offensive language.

- "If one day I say goodbye ..." -

In the shoes of the favorite this time, the Japanese held her rank perfectly, a sluggish start allowing the younger Williams sisters to lead 2-0 and a terrible service game marred by three double faults in the middle of the second set. apart.

"I was nervous and scared at the start of the game, Osaka admits. It's always an honor for me to play against her and I didn't want it to go too badly."

"When I was little, I watched her play, and just being on the court in front of her is a dream for me," she continues.

For Serena Williams, who has probably appeared in her best physical shape since returning from maternity in the spring of 2018, it is one more disillusion - at 39 - in her quest for a 24th Grand Slam crown that would allow her to equal the absolute record set by the Australian Margaret Court in the years 1960-1970.

Since 2018, the former world No.1 today 11th has tripped on the bottom step four times, twice at the US Open and twice at Wimbledon, in 2018 and in 2019.

What was she thinking when she left Melbourne Central, taking the time to greet the audience with her hand on her heart?

"I don't know. If one day I say my goodbyes, I won't tell anyone," replied the American star, the oldest player of the Open era to appear in the last four in Melbourne, shortly before leaving. his hasty press conference in tears.

- Patroness -

Osaka, born of a Japanese mother and a Haitian father, and who lives in Florida, looks more and more like the boss that the women's circuit is looking for after a particularly successful fortnight.

Facing Serena, she was surgical on important points (four break points converted out of four) and so striking in the game that the American seemed helpless.

The great occasions transcend the Japanese, ex-world No. 1 today No. 3, who hides a fierce determination under her zen and detached air.

Two figures illustrate this.

When she passes the round of 16 in Grand Slam, she systematically triumphs.

It's happened three times so far, at the US Open in 2018 and 2020, and at the Australian Open in 2019.

Of the six trophies that have garnished its record since its revelation in 2018, half are major tournaments.

A high-flying ratio.

Osaka will dislodge Simona Halep from the world No.2 place if she wins on Saturday.

© 2021 AFP