US Open Champion Osaka Downs Svitolina to Enter First Aus Open S/F

The Japanese fourth seed moves within two wins of successive Grand Slam crowns, and the world number one ranking.

Naomi Osaka and Elina Svitolina meet at the net after the Japanese fourth seed won their quarter-final clash at the Australian Open.

(Photo: AP)

Naomi Osaka has reached her first semi-final at the Australian Open with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Elina Svitolina.

Osaka used her aggressive style and big hitting to compile a 31-11 edge in winners, including eight aces.

Fourth seed Osaka, the reigning US Open champion, had not gone past the fourth round at Melbourne Park in two previous attempts, but she turned on the heat in what was expected to be a tricky encounter against the sixth-seeded Svitolina.

Svitolina – the 2018 WTA Finals winner – had her neck and shoulders massaged by a trainer during a medical timeout while trailing 3-0 in the second set.

Osaka's semi-final opponent will be either 23-time major champion Serena Williams or No. 7 seed Karolina Pliskova.

Osaka beat Williams for the championship at Flushing Meadows last year, in a match filled with all sorts of drama involving the American star and the chair umpire.

(With inputs from AP)