Naomi Osaka has become the first female Japanese tennis player to reach a grand slam semi-final since 1996 after storming to a 6-1, 6-1, win over Lesia Tsurenko at the US Open.
Playing for a place in her maiden grand slam semi-final, the enormity of the occasion didn’t faze the 20-year-old. Osaka swiftly settled into the match against an out of sorts Tsurenko, who seemed to be suffering from the after-effects of her fourth round match. The Ukrainian struggled with a leg injury during her three sets win over Markéta Vondroušová. Enabling the rising star to cruise to victory with the help of five aces and 12 winners.
“It means a lot. I want to thank everyone (the crowd) for cheering.” Osaka said during her on-court interview.
“I fought for every point. I think I have struggled with that in the past, so I feel like I have matured a little bit.” She later added.
During what was a one-sided opener, Osaka dominated from the onset. Breaking for a 2-0 lead thanks to Tsurenko shot drifting beyond the baseline on break point, before sealing the double break at the expense of another error from her rival a few games later. The clinical performance saw the Japanese No.1 drop just three points behind her serve on route to a 6-1 lead. In contrast, a lacklustre Tsurenko struggled to minimise her mistakes on the court.
Gaining in momentum, Osaka continued to dismantle the problematic Tsurenko serve. Fighting back from 40-0 down, to break immediately at the start of set number two. Firmly in control, it was only a matter of time before she sealed victory against her below-par rival. Her only blip occurred when she was forced to save three consecutive break points whilst serving with a set and 4-1 advantage. Victory was then sealed at the 58th minute of the match when a deep Osaka shot on match point triggered another Tsurenko mistake.
Apart from making history for Japanese tennis, the 20-year-old is the youngest player to reach the semi-final at flushing Meadows since Caroline Wozniacki back in 2010. Although Osaka didn’t get too carried away with her celebrations following the response she received from some concerning her fourth round triumph.
“The other time I cried a little bit (following her win over Aryna Sabalenka) and there was a lot of people making fun of me.” She explained.
Whilst on the outside she didn’t show much emotion, not the same can be said about how she really felt prior to walking onto the Arthur Ashe stadium.
“I was freaking out inside. My entire body was shaking. So I’m really glad that I was able to play well today.” Osaka revelled.
In the last four in New York, Osaka will play either Madison Keys or Carla Suarez Navarro. Two players she is yet to defeat on the tour.
