A straight sets win over Elina Svitolina didn’t just reward Naomi Osaka a place in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, it has also sealed her place in the history books.
The 21-year-old roared to a 6-4, 6-1, victory over an injury-stricken Svitolina, who was bothered by issues with her shoulder and neck throughout the match. Osaka has become the first Japanese woman to reach the last four in Melbourne since Kimiko Date in 1994. Not only that, the victory has secured her a spot in the world’s top 3 next week. Making Osaka the first player from her country – man or woman – to achieve the milestone in the history of the sport.
“This is something that I have been working on a lot, which is trying to get deeper in tournaments more consistently. I think I have been able to do that.” Osaka commented afterwards.
“Right now I just try to keep looking forward. So I’m not really satisfied, I am happy that I’m here (in the semi-finals), but at the same time, I want to keep going. There is more matches to win.”
Already the first player from her country in the Open Era to win a grand slam title in singles, the current world No.4 is eager to add to her collection. Her consistency on the tour has improved in recent months. Since her US Open win, Osaka has reached the semi-finals or better in four out of five tournaments she has played in. The only exception was the WTA Finals where she lost all of her round robin matches.
“You want to do the next big thing. And especially now that I won a Grand Slam, and I feel like I want to win another one, and I’m so close and I just want to keep going.” she said.
Guided on the tour by coach Sascha Bajin, who received the inaugural WTA coach of the Year award in 2018, Osaka credits one thing to her rise – an ‘inner peace.’ In recent time she hasn’t been afraid to express her emotions on the court. Earlier this year at the Brisbane International, the American-based player said she had the ‘worst attitude’ and was ‘sulking’ during her match against Lesia Tsurenko.
It appears Osaka is struggling to find a right balance between showing too much and too little emotion on the court. However, she wants to stick with a more quiet and reserve personality.
“Most people know me for US Open, right? And during the US Open, I didn’t show any emotions most of the time.” She explained.
“When I’m not calm, it just makes my life harder. There is an inner peace I can tap into sometimes during my matches, and it’s kind of hard to get to, but once I’m there, it’s really easy. Not easy, but nothing can really bother me. So that’s just something that I’m trying to learn how to do consistently.” Osaka added.
Osaka is now in sight of the world No.1 ranking. As it currently stands, she will claim the top position unless Petra Kvitova reaches the final or Karolina Pliskova wins the title. If she reaches the final, she will become world No.1 unless Kvitova wins the title. Osaka can also secure the position be winning the Australian Open title.
In the semi-finals, Osaka will take on Pliskova, who knocked Serena Williams out in three sets. She currently trails their head-to-head 1-2.
