Once again, Serena Williams reached a record of 24 Grand Slam title draws, playing well enough to reach the final days of a major tournament. And once again, Williams failed to do so – beaten 6-3, 6-4 by Naomi Osaka in the semifinals of the Australian Open on Thursday (Wednesday night EST).
Spectators returned to the stands on Thursday after being barred from touring for five days during a venue COVID-19 quarantine. About 7,000 people were allowed in the stadium for the Williams-Osaka tilt, about half the capacity.
Osaka, who also defeated Williams in the chaotic final of the US Open 2018, reached the fourth match in the major title and extended its series of victories to 20 matches.
Osaka, ranked 3rd, also won the US Open last year, along with the Australian Open in 2019.
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On Saturday, at 19:30 local time (3:30 am EST), Osaka will meet for the first time a Grand Slam finalist for the championship. Number 22 Jennifer Brady from the United States was scheduled to face number 25 Karolina Muchova in the second semifinal on Thursday.
A men’s semifinal was scheduled for Thursday: No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. Aslan Karatsev, a 114th qualifier from Russia who is playing in his first Grand Slam tournament.
Djokovic is looking for a ninth Australian Open title and an 18th Grand Slam overall trophy.
Rafael Nadal – who lost in the quarterfinals to Stefanos Tsitsipas after a two-set lead – and Roger Federer are tied for the men’s 20 record.
On the hottest day of the tournament so far – 30 degrees Celsius – Osaka started in a shaky start, probably pushed into the press in its opening game by a winning return of the field on Williams second point of the match.
It was followed by a double error, a wild forehand and, finally, a compensated backhand that handed over a break. Quickly, Williams went up 2-0, then had another break point with the chance to lead 3-0 after another double mistake by Osaka.
However, it was not long before Osaka headed.
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After losing to Osaka, retirement questions arose for Williams. At a press conference she was asked if this was her way of saying goodbye.
“If I ever said goodbye,” she replied with a smile, “I wouldn’t tell anyone.”
When the next question brought the conversation back to the subject of many of Williams’ mistakes against Osaka — twice as many unforced errors, 24 as winners, 12 — she shook her head.
Eventually, Williams began to cry and said, “I’m done” before leaving the newsroom.