Osaka blows away Svitolina to reach Melbourne semis

MELBOURNE (Reuters): US Open champion Naomi Osaka set up a potential rematch of her controversial Flushing Meadows final against Serena Williams after beating ElinaSvitolina 6-4 6-1 to reach her first Australian Open semi-final on Wednesday. 

The 21-year-old Osaka committed a string of unforced errors but still proved too strong for the sixth-seeded Ukrainian, wrapping up the win in an hour and 12 minutes to become the first Japanese woman to reach the last four at Melbourne Park since Kimiko Date in 1994.

Osaka’s first Grand Slam triumph at the US Open last year was overshadowed by a row between Williams and umpire Carlos Ramos. 

The American is playing Karolina Pliskova in the remaining quarter-final.

“I played them both and they are both very great players,” said Osaka after her match at Rod Laver Arena.

“And I know that it’s going to be tough no matter who I play, and honestly I’m just trying to go inside because it’s little bit hot right now. Sorry,” she added as the crowd burst into laughter.

Osaka’s power was on full display against WTA Finals champion Svitolina, with the Japanese thumping 31 winners to her opponent’s 11. But she was also sloppy at times, committing 25 unforced errors, nine more than Svitolina.