New York: Japan’s Naomi Osaka advanced to the semi-finals of the ongoing US Open, defeating Shelby Rogers in straight sets at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
On Tuesday, Osaka ousted Rogers 6-3, 6-4 in 79 minutes to make it to US Open semi-finals for the second time in her career.
“I’m aware that the opponents that I play from now on are going to be very tough,” 4th-seeded Osaka said, in her post-match press conference as per the WTA website.
“For me, I think the last two Grand Slams, everything happened so fast, I wasn’t really in the moment. I’m just really happy to be in the semis, and hopefully I can keep going.”
Osaka fired 24 winners, including seven aces, and made only eight unforced errors.
The Japanese player, who won the first of her two consecutive Grand Slam titles in New York two years ago, was nearly peerless off of her first serve, winning 83 per cent of points when she got that shot into play.
“The big thing for me was to be the aggressor and to be okay with making unforced errors,” said Osaka.
“Apparently I didn’t make that many. But, yeah, just to accept the unforced errors because I know that I’m going for shots.”
Osaka’s masks
Naomi Osaka has been wearing masks bearing the name of a victim of racial injustice for each of her U.S. Open matches; she honored George Floyd at her quarterfinal victory Tuesday night.
Afterward, when she appeared on ESPN’s set at Flushing Meadows, the channel showed videos of two victims’ parents addressing the two-time Grand Slam champion.
Osaka said she was moved by the messages from the mother of Trayvon Martin and the father of Ahmaud Arbery.
“I was just trying really hard not to cry. For me it’s a bit surreal. It’s extremely touching that they would feel touched by what I’m doing. For me, I feel like what I’ve doing is nothing. It’s a speck of what I could be doing,” Osaka said. “It was really emotional. … I’m really grateful and I’m really humbled.”
Brady overcomes jitters
Chris Evert says the subdued atmosphere at the U.S. Open has helped American Jennifer Brady make a lot of noise.
Brady notched the biggest victory yet in her breakout run at the Open, beating Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-2 on Tuesday. Seeded 28th, Brady said she was nervous at the start of her first career Grand Slam quarterfinal. But with fans in the stands, Evert believes, Brady’s jitters could have been worse.
Too loud
While it’s quiet at this year’s U.S. Open, Alexander Zverev wants it even quieter. Zverev paused before serving in the third set of his quarterfinal match to ask ESPN courtside commentator Brad Gilbert to pipe down. “You’re talking too loud, man,” Zverev said. “Oh, sorry,” a chastened Gilbert replied. “I can hear every single word you’re saying,” Zverev said.
Gilbert had just commented on Zverev’s problem with double faults against Borna Coric. With silence restored, Zverev hit a service winner to hold for 3-3. Despite finishing with 12 double faults, he earned a four-set victory to become a Grand Slam semifinalist for the second time in as many majors this year. (Agencies)
