World number three Naomi Osaka, 23, qualified for the Australian Open semi-finals by defeating Taiwanese Hsieh Su-Wei (71st) 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour.
The Japanese, a three-time Grand Slam winner, will face the American Serena Williams, executioner of Simona Halep (6-3, 6-3), who returns to tread in the semifinals in Melbourne after four years of absence.
So far in Grand Slam, Osaka has always won the tournament after reaching the quarterfinals (US Open in 2018 and 2020 and the Australian Open in 2019).
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Four of the previous five matches between the two players lasted three sets.
But this time, Osaka didn't let the 35-year-old Hsieh make her dizzy with his unusual two-handed play on both sides, although the first set was hotly contested.
"I'm very happy with the way I played," she said.
"Every time I played her, it was a great battle and even though the result is what it is, it has actually been another battle for me."
In the previous round, Osaka came close to being eliminated by Spain's Garbiñe Muguruza with 3-5, 15-40 on her serve in the third set, with two match points against, before scoring four points in a row.
But this match was the only one he has not dominated since the start of the tournament.
"I'd say it reassures me a bit knowing that even when I'm completely against the wall, I still have a chance," the Japanese explained.
The last two women's quarterfinals are scheduled for Wednesday.
One of them is 100% American, between Jennifer Brady (24th) and Jessica Pegula (61st).
The other will oppose the world number one, Ash Barty, with the Czech Karolina Muchova (27th).
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