Naomi Osaka moves into US Open semi-finals with Serena Williams rematch looming

[ASFN Admin]

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. 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 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.

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