This archive report was first published on 10 August 2019.
August 10, 2019
Eleven months after losing to Naomi Osaka in the US Open final, Serena Williams exacted her revenge on the young Japanese player in the quarterfinals of the Toronto tournament.
The 37-year-old American tennis star dominated Osaka, winning 6-3, 6-4 in 1 hour and 16 minutes. Williams hit 12 aces, including the last one on match point, and did not concede a single break point.
"I'm clearly not where I would like to be yet, but I'm getting close to it," Williams said in a post-match interview.
With this win, Williams qualified for the semifinals of the Canadian Premier Category event and is now one step closer to claiming her 24th Grand Slam title, which would be her first since the birth of her daughter in September 2017.
Williams is also eyeing a fourth title in Toronto, a feat she has achieved in 2001, 2011, and 2013.
Osaka, who will become the world's number one player on Monday, will have to wait a little longer to achieve her goal, as she will face another young player in the semifinals.
