Naomi Osaka shuts down interview with hilarious admission

Naomi Osaka continues to show why she’s a fan favourite at the Australian Open.

The Japanese star has a second successive grand slam title in sight after sweeping past Elina Svitolina to book a semi-final berth on Wednesday.

The US Open champion blasted her way to a 6-4 6-1 win over the sixth-seed Ukrainian, who sought treatment for a neck injury midway through the second set.

Osaka was in fine form during the match, but not so much in her on-court interview.

After being asked if she would watch the other quarter-final about to take place, Osaka started to answer before letting out an audible groan.

She then cracked up laughing before admitting: “I’m just trying to get inside because it’s really hot right now.”

Brett Phillips got the message, laughing along as he wrapped up the interview.

Osaka’s win sets up a tantalising possible US Open final rematch with Serena Williams, who had a meltdown during that loss and who faces Karolina Ploskova in Wednesday’s last women’s quarter-final.

The biggest threat Osaka faced on Rod Laver Arena was when she was chased by a bee just before wrapping up the match, with Svitolina off her game.

Osaka, 21, said she tried to work on keeping her focus after been taken to three sets in her last two matches.

“For me today I just had one goal and that was to try as hard as I can get and not get angry,” Osaka said.

“I didn’t do that well in the last two rounds so that was my only goal and I think I did it well so I’m really happy with the way I played.

“She is a really great player and it is kind of unfortunate that she got injured but playing against her even when she was injured was still really tough.”

The world No.4 had too much power and poise for Svitolina, who was in good form heading into the match and high on confidence after winning the WTA Finals title late last year.

But the Ukrainian struggled with her service game, only managing to get 58 per cent of her first serves in.

The first set went on serve before Osaka broke Svitolina to take a 4-2 lead only to hand the break straight back through unforced errors.

The pair again traded breaks before Osaka again got on top of her opponent and sealed the set on her fourth set point.

Osaka won six straight games to take a 5-0 lead before Svitolina managed to hold serve, but it only temporarily delayed the inevitable.

Svitolina’s exit continued her modest record in grand slams, with the 24-year-old yet to reach a semi-final at a major.

with AAP