News | My Sports

US Open champion Naomi Osaka eased past Elina Svitolina in the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Osaka powers past Svitolina in Melbourne

Naomi Osaka cruised into a second grand slam semi-final after proving too good for Elina Svitolina at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

The US Open champion powered past Svitolina in an impressive 6-4 6-1 victory in their quarter-final on Rod Laver Arena.

Osaka, the 21-year-old fourth seed, was the aggressor throughout and she was too strong for the sixth-seeded Svitolina.

Svitolina, who beat Osaka twice last year, is now 0-4 in major quarter-finals and needed treatment during the second set.

Osaka will face either Serena Williams or Karolina Pliskova in the last four.

.@NaomiOsaka is into her first #AusOpen semifinal!

She def. Svitolina 6-4 6-1 to set up a date with Serena Williams or Karolina Pliskova. pic.twitter.com/8o2MbMSq9y
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2019

After a few relatively comfortable holds, Osaka and Svitolina traded breaks, the former using her power to grab a 5-3 lead.

Serving for the set, Osaka produced some nervy points from 30-15 to allow Svitolina to get back on serve once more.

Incredibly, Osaka gave up a 0-40 lead in the next game, but a return winner and Svitolina hitting the net with a backhand saw the Japanese star take the set.

Osaka quickly grabbed a 3-0 lead in the second set before Svitolina took a medical timeout for treatment on her shoulder/neck area.

But the break did nothing to slow down Osaka, who closed out a superb victory in one hour, 12 minutes.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Osaka [4] bt Svitolina [6] 6-4 6-1

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Osaka - 31/25
Svitolina - 11/16

ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Osaka - 8/0
Svitolina - 1/3

BREAK POINTS WON
Osaka - 5/13
Svitolina - 2/4

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Osaka - 61
Svitolina - 58

PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Osaka - 64/52
Svitolina - 60/27

TOTAL POINTS
Osaka - 60
Svitolina - 46

Top Headlines