In the rematch of the infamous US Open 2018 final between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka took place yesterday in Toronto. This time, the American legend outgunned the World Number one, Osaka 6-3, 6-4 and Serena reached her first-ever non-Slam semifinal since the Rome event in 2016. This was Serena’s third top-ten since her maternity hiatus.

Playing her idol once again, Osaka underwent the same sensations when she played her for the first time in Miami, Florida. Japan’s World Number one tennis player felt the same as she used to feel a few months ago when she won in Melbourne. 

“Yeah, I mean, mentally, I mean, for me it’s always fun to play her. This is someone that I looked up to forever. And, actually, this is how I thought the first time I played her in Miami was going to go,” Naomi Osaka said.

Osaka’s run on the professional tennis courts has been wobbly since her Australian Open 2019 title and she admitted that she was not enjoying her stay on the WTA Tour since then. However, after her loss Serena, the Japanese was rejuvenated and was pleased with her experienced at Rogers Cup 2019 as she lost to one of the legendary tennis players of the sport. Also, she is happy to be back on the top-rankings of the women’s chart. 

“So in a weird way, losing today I accomplished my dream (laughing). I know that sounds kind of weird, but, you know, if there’s anyone in the world that I would want to lose to — of course, I would never want to lose, but I don’t mind losing to her because I learned a lot,” she mentioned.

“And this is someone that I kind of modeled my game after when I was little. So this is, like, such a big learning experience for me,” Osaka added.   

Naomi Osaka will now fly Cincinnati, Ohio before she begins the race to defend her title at the US Open. At the Western & Southern Open 2019, Osaka will be the top-seed.