Serena Williams takes revenge on Osaka in Toronto

Serena Williams shakes hands with rival Naomi Osaka [Courtesy]

Eleven months after losing the pedals in the final of the US Open against the same player, the American responded with authority on Friday taking revenge on the Japanese Naomi Osaka, future N. 1 world, in quarters in Toronto.

They had left the controversy, when Osaka, 20 years old at the time, had raised his first Grand Slam title while enjoying a loss of nerves from his opponent, sanctioned by a point and then a game of penalty by the referee.

They found themselves just a few weeks away from the New York Grand Slam, in serenity and with a smiles handshake at the end of a meeting solidly mastered by the American 10th World, 6-3, 6- 4 in 1 hr 16 min.

The winner of 23 Grand Slam titles hit 12 aces, the last of them on match points, and did not concede a break point to qualify for the semi-finals of this Canadian Premier Category event (just in below the Grand Slams).

"I'm clearly not (yet) where I would like to be but I'm getting close to it," responded Williams, still looking for his 24th Grand Slam, which would be the first since the birth of his daughter in September 2017, and who would allow him to match Margaret Court's record.

While waiting for the US Open (Aug. 26-Sept. 9), Serena (37) can claim a fourth title in Toronto after 2001, 2011 and 2013.

For that, she will have to dominate whatever happens two other young players, the oldest of the other three semi-finalists being only 21 years old.

The Czech Marie Bouzkova, 91st World and qualifying, will be his opponent in Saturday's half: it has benefited from the abandonment after a set of the Romanian, ex-N.1 world, Simona Halep, embarrassed to a tendon d 'Achilles.

The other semifinal will feature American Sofia Kenin (29th) against Canadian tennis star Bianca Andreescu (27th). The 19-year-old won a narrow quarter-final against Karolina Pliskova of N.3, 6-0, 2-6, 6-4.

The defeat of Pliskova early in the day had ensured Osaka to find the place of N.1 world before even playing: the Japanese will dethrone Monday the Australian Ashleigh Barty, victorious Roland-Garros.