Naomi Osaka was too strong for Serena Williams.

After a timid start to the match, the Japanese imposed her power to eliminate, Thursday, February 18, the American 6-3, 6-4 in 1:15 and reach for the second time the final of the Australian Open.

"I made a lot of mistakes in the first games, I was nervous and scared at first, then I relaxed. The most important thing for me is to have fun," commented the Japanese. who won the title in Melbourne in 2019.

"It's always an honor for me to play against her, and I didn't want it to go too badly, so I did my best," she added.

Osaka beat Williams in the 2018 US Open final to claim his first Grand Slam title.

Led 2-0 and ball 3-0 in the first round, the world N.3 regained its senses, found its game and chained 5 games in a row, taking the service twice from Williams, to break away 5- 2 and conclude on his service at his earliest opportunity, with authority and power.

She immediately took control of the second set by making the entry break.

Simply sensational ✨ @ naomiosaka sweeps past Serena Williams 6-3 6-4 & is our first # AO2021 women's singles finalist! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/KsMUARKI3L

- #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 18, 2021

"It's a dream for me"

But, she who had never been endangered on her throw-in from the fifth game of the first set until the eighth of the second, completely missed her service game at 4-3, with three double faults at the key, allowing Serena Williams to come back to 4-4.

Osaka, however, resumed his opponent's throw-in in stride and served for the match.

Having once again become imperial in its service, it imposed itself without contest.

"When I was a little girl, I watched her play, and just being on the court against her is a dream for me," said Osaka, delighted with the audience's return after five days in camera. For a second title in Melbourne, the fourth in the Grand Slam, the 23-year-old Japanese will face Saturday in the final the winner of the second half between the Czech Karolina Muchova (27th), who eliminated in the quarterfinals the world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty , to the American Jennifer Brady (24th, 25).

Serena Williams for her part appeared very disappointed at a press conference where she briefly answered a few questions before cutting the session short, in tears.

"If one day I say my goodbyes, I won't tell anyone, so ..." she said.

The 39-year-old has cast doubt on the rest of her career after her elimination.

When she left the court, she greeted the audience with a hand on her heart, as if saying goodbye to them.

An emotional Serena Williams.

#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/G4Av8I7jym

- Anand Datla (@SportaSmile) February 18, 2021

With AFP

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