Serena Williams Eases Past Naomi Osaka at Rogers Cup 2019

Soon after regaining the top spot on the WTA singles rankings, Naomi Osaka was scheduled to face her idol, Serena Williams, again. There was a buzz around the tennis world, after having witnessed the infamous US OPEN controversy last year. Williams won 6-3, 6-4 in her first non-Slam quarterfinals since 2016 Rome.

However, it was a much straight forward affair than their last meeting, as Serena Williams took the lead in the first set in windy conditions. Naomi Osaka, who excels in her aggressive and powerful groundstrokes, found the wind against her. She could hit only 2% of her shots from within the baseline in the first set as Serena capitalized on the lone break and served out the first set.

The trend continued in the second as Naomi Osaka never looked to regain her rhythm in the rallies. Serena Williams raced ahead once again in the second with the early break this time and consolidated it with a stronghold.

Despite being a break-up Serena Williams never lowered her intensity or focus and piled on the pressure on the return games with 23 winners in her box and a 4-2 lead in the second set. Serena maintained the break of serve lead and sailed into the semifinals her first win over Naomi Osaka.