Australian Open 2021, day 11, semifinals: Naomi Osaka – Serena Williams – live! | Sport

For those who didn’t watch the 2018 U.S. Open final, this couple has suffered controversy on the track together. In that decisive Flushing Meadows, where Williams, after receiving three violations of the core code, called the referee a “thief” and imploded in the second set while Osaka kept the nerve to win. Williams had to stop fans from booing during the Osaka trophy ceremony.

Of course, that was basically the first thing Williams were asked to do after beating Simona Halep in the quarterfinals on Tuesday and only had praise for Osaka.

“I’ve been watching him and I’m sure he’s been watching me, and I think it’s a good opportunity to keep doing the best we can,” he said.

The pair have clashed with each other, while Williams beat Osaka in Toronto in 2019 in 2019.

In other words, this could be anyone’s.

It is a perfect picture in Melbourne Park today. The temperature is around 30 ºC, controlled by a gentle breeze that whispers the leaves of the big boys next to track 5. In Garden Square, attendees relax by a rotten fountain. There is a relaxed holiday atmosphere around the grounds after the five-day closure.

For the first time this event there are attendees dying freely around the venue. The three walled areas have been removed with only two places already in use for the end of the tournament business. In contrast, crowds are limited to 7,477 in each session. Most of those participating in this part of the day are about to enter Rod Laver Arena for the women’s semifinal between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams.

The sun is shining. Mercury is around 30C. There are no new cases of locally acquired Covid in Victoria once again. And it has been allowed to return to the crowds in Melbourne Park for the first time in five days of empty stands. You could say things are pretty sweet at the Australian Open on the 11th of the first grand slam of the year. How could things get better? What is this, you say? An impressive women’s semifinal with two of the best and most entertaining players on the planet? Oh madam, yes, please.

Serena Williams i Naomi Osaka they are the first at the Rod Laver Arena today, where they will eliminate the position in Saturday’s final. Williams, of course, is pursuing a 24th Grand Slam title record and has given all indications so far in Melbourne that this could be the tournament where he finally draws with Margaret Court.

But there’s a big hurdle in his Osaka-shaped path, which has been equally in top form and seems to be able to add a fourth grand slam title to his thriving collection. It’s an ongoing classic potential. Don’t go anywhere.

Hot on the heels Jennifer Brady i Karolina Muchova, in what is, it is worth saying, a much less awaited encounter, though it is still intriguing. And completing the day this evening is the number 1 male Novak Djokovic and Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev.

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