Naomi Osaka cruises into US Open semi-finals with win over Shelby Rogers

Naomi Osaka cruises into US Open semi-finals with win over Shelby Rogers… and she is on course for repeat of controversial 2018 final against Serena Williams

  • Naomi Osaka beat Shelby Rogers 6-3, 6-4 to cruise into the US Open semi-finals 
  • Japanese star won the title in 2018 and is gunning for a repeat this year  
  • She is on course to face Serena Williams in repeat of controversial 2018 final  
  • Williams takes on unseeded Tsvetana Pironkova in the quarter-final

Naomi Osaka marched into the semi-finals of the US Open with a commanding straight-sets win over Shelby Rogers.

The Japanese star, looking to regain the title she won in 2018, was a 6-3 6-4 winner in the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It means Osaka remains on course for a potential blockbuster final against Serena Williams, a repeat of the controversial finale of two years ago.

Naomi Osaka barely celebrated after a routine win over Shelby Rogers to advance

Naomi Osaka barely celebrated after a routine win over Shelby Rogers to advance 

She is through to the US Open semi-final after beating 6-3 6-4 in Arthur Ashe stadium

She is through to the US Open semi-final after beating 6-3 6-4 in Arthur Ashe stadium

Osaka won that acrimonious encounter after Williams’ infamous argument with umpire Carlos Ramos. Two years on, the American is still waiting to claim her record-equalling 24th grand slam title.

With the women’s draw decimated by withdrawals and shock defeats Williams and Osaka, the third and fourth seeds respectively, look destined to meet again on Saturday.

The next-highest ranked player left is Elise Mertens, the world number 18 from Belgium.

Williams takes on unseeded Tsvetana Pironkova in the quarter-final later on Wednesday, while Osaka will meet American 28th seed Jennifer Brady in the semis.

Osaka credited her positive attitude and said revenge was a key motivating factor

Osaka credited her positive attitude and said revenge was a key motivating factor 

Osaka walked onto court wearing a mask bearing the name of George Floyd, the black man whose death at the hands of police sparked anti-racism protests across the world.

The 22-year-old has seven masks with victims’ names in total, so she clearly plans to reach the final.

Osaka had lost her previous three meetings with Rogers but was in no mood to make it a fourth, securing the crucial break in the first set with a blistering angled forehand.

She broke again early in the second as Rogers, playing in her first US Open quarter-final, sent a backhand wide, and wrapped up victory in an hour and 19 minutes.

Osaka said: ‘For me honestly I felt she had the upper hand as I’d never beaten her, those memories stuck in my mind so it feels like a little bit of revenge.

‘I’m really glad I was able to have a much more positive attitude tonight. I feel pretty good. All the matches are really tough, it’s made me really grateful to be in this position.’ 

Osaka will now meet American 28th seed Jennifer Brady in the semi-finals

Osaka will now meet American 28th seed Jennifer Brady in the semi-finals 

source: dailymail.co.uk