'Revenge': Tennis world erupts over 'unbelievable' Serena Williams act
Serena Williams has gained revenge over Naomi Osaka in the first meeting between the tennis stars since the infamous 2018 US Open final.
Williams produced a brilliant display to claim a straight-sets win over Osaka to reach the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup.
In the first meeting between the stars since last year's controversial US Open final, Williams was in impressive form, recording a 6-3 6-4 victory in Toronto.
Williams' meltdown at Flushing Meadows during the decider in 2018 overshadowed what was Osaka's first grand slam success, with the American revealing she consulted a therapist to deal with the fallout.
The 23-time grand slam champion has since apologised and, in their first meeting since, Williams delivered an impeccable performance at the WTA Premier tournament to score her first career win over Osaka.
Impacted by slow starts this week, Williams made a better opening to her clash with Japanese star Osaka, who had to dig out of a hole at 2-3.
However, Osaka – playing more tentatively in windy conditions – sent a forehand long to give Williams, a three-time winner of the tournament, a break in the eighth game.
.@serenawilliams books a spot in the @rogerscup semifinals!
She takes out Osaka, 6-3, 6-4 💪 pic.twitter.com/0CF017UkKP— WTA (@WTA) August 10, 2019
Williams took the set with a big serve and then broke again in the third game of the second set as Osaka, who will return to top spot in the rankings, struggled to find answers.
The American had lost her previous two meetings with Osaka, but managed to close out what was an impressive victory.
Many fails hailed it as the best match that Williams has played in her comeback.
Serena Williams gains revenge over Naomi Osaka 63 64 with a powerful display.
Simona Halep retires after losing first set. Marie Bouzkova through. What a week for the Czech pic.twitter.com/Zj54AwVBmE— Chris Goldsmith (@TheTennisTalker) August 10, 2019
Happy to see Serena redeem herself against Osaka
— NotBeardedDre 🇬🇾 (@ItAintMeBihh) August 10, 2019
You go Serena!! Proud of you. Osaka gave you an excellent game!
— anita (@anita47801596) August 10, 2019
Serena wins the rematch.
In their 1st meeting since the US Open final, Serena beats Naomi Osaka 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the Rogers Cup semifinal.
That was an incredibly veteran-like performance from Serena. She was on her A game today. #CoupeRogers— Matt Dowell (@TheMattDowell) August 10, 2019
Serena beats Osaka 6-3, 6-4, and while people have said this too often, that was probably the best performance of her comeback.
Was 2-5 vs the top 10 heading into tonight's much hyped rematch.— Trenton Jocz (@TrentonJocz) August 10, 2019
Serena Williams beats Naomi Osaka for the first time. 6-3, 6-4 to reach the SFs in Toronto. Possibly her best performance of the year. pic.twitter.com/Phd7MmRJS6
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 10, 2019
OMG!!! I am so happy for Serena!!! Good game plan. Confident play against the younger version of herself. Serena in 2 over Naomi Osaka. #serena #rogerscup #wta #tennischannel
— Kath (@kathlovestennis) August 10, 2019
For the first time in three career meetings, Serena Williams defeats Naomi Osaka, 6-3, 6-4.
Hands down the best performance this week from Williams, who could potentially face Simona Halep in the semis in a rematch of Wimbledon #RogersCup— Ben Lewis (@BenLewisSN590) August 10, 2019
Serena made a statement tonight vs Osaka in a major way. I'm happy to see her vanquish her after their first two meetings, Naomi swept Serena aside. A little drama the final game but overall a strong performance.
— Francis (@smelllikesugar) August 10, 2019
Serena Williams defeats [2] Naomi Osaka, who has become #1 of the world today, in straight sets without allowing her a single breakpoint. 6-3, 6-4. Unbelievable performance from Serena. Focused from the very beginning until the very end. She was serving so well. #CoupeRogers
— Alex | Tennis 🎾 (@Alex_Boroch) August 10, 2019
Serena the ‘grandma’
Osaka referred to Williams as her tennis mum in the build-up to the match.
The American made light of Osaka's comments in a funny post-match interview.
"I'd say more or less tennis grandma," Williams said about herself after the straight sets win against Osaka.
"That was very kind of her to say mum.
“We haven't played since New York which was a really good match for her and I just wanted to come out and win a set this time because she's beaten me twice," the 37-year-old joked.
Williams will face the winner of the quarter-final match between Simona Halep and Marie Bouzková, in the last four.
With agencies