Naomi Osaka Saves Match Points to Win, Serena Williams Advances in Three Sets to Reach Australian Open Quarterfinals
(February 13, 2021) Former champion and third seed Naomi Osaka was down a set and a break and saved two match points to get past last year’s finalist Garbine Muguruza 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 in Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
The Spaniard Muguruza had match points on Osaka’s serve at 5-3* but the woman from Japan held on to her serve. Muguruza served for the match at 5-4 but could not hold on for the win. Osaka won the last four straight games and 10 of the last 12 points to capture the win.
“It’s actually fun when I’m not really angry” 😂@naomiosaka knows what to expect when she faces Su-wei Hsieh in the #AO2021 quarterfinals#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/8SBfxes42x
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 14, 2021
Seven-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams battled past seventh seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to reach her 13th Melbourne final eight. The fourth round match featured hard-hitting, ball-bashing tennis between the two women. The American Williams is in pursuit of her 24th major title.
Sisterly love 💙@Venuseswilliams was in the crowd to cheer on @serenawilliams as she made her way into the quarterfinals 😃#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/fTsfLxGg1m
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 14, 2021
Williams will play No. 2 seed Simona Halep. The Romanian avenged a 2020 loss to French Open champion Iga Swiatek by defeating the 19-year-old woman from Poland 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
"She's the best." 😅@Simona_Halep previews her #AO2021 quarterfinal match-up with @serenawilliams 🍿#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/YjlZiA4QrM
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 14, 2021
Hsieh is into her first Grand Slam quarterfinal! 🤩
She upsets the No.19 seed Vondrousova, 6-4, 6-2. #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/ZmVQo6u4Sg
— wta (@WTA) February 14, 2021
Osaka will be taking on world No. 71, Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei, who became the oldest first-time major quarterfinalist at 35, when she upset No. 19 seed Marketa Vondrousova 6-4, 6-2 in Margaret Court Arena. Hsieh who hits two-handed shots off both sides, knocked out 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in the second round of the tournament.
Hsieh on facing Osaka: “She’s a very good player. Anyone play her, they will get troubles.
“I not worry about it. She probably going to smash me on the court. I try to play my game, do my job, see what happens.”
Osaka leads the H2H 2-1, all matches have gone 3 sets.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/1Ko6J7uLp2
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) February 14, 2021
More to follow…..
