07 September,2018 08:16 AM IST | New York | AFP
Naomi Osaka is all smiles after her win over Lesia Tsurenko. Pic/AFP
Naomi Osaka became the first Japanese woman in 22 years to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam on Wednesday when she defeated Lesia Tsurenko 6-1, 6-1 in the last-eight of the US Open, admitting she was "freaking out" inside.
Osaka, 20, wasn't born when compatriot Kimiko Date made the Wimbledon semi-finals in 1996, but now she has the opportunity to go one better by reaching a maiden Grand Slam final. Later Wednesday, Osaka was joined in the record books by compatriot Kei Nishikori who reached his third semi-final at the US Open. It's the first time that a Japanese man and woman have made the semis at the same Slam.
Madison Keys
To get to Saturday's championship match, 20th seed Osaka will have to get past US 14th seed Madison Keys, who breezed past Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro 6-4, 6-3. Keys, the 2017 runner-up, leads Osaka 3-0 in career meetings including the third round at the US Open in 2016 when she battled back from 1-5 in the final set to triumph.
"It really means a lot to get to the semis," said Osaka whose post-match, on-court interview endeared her further to a growing legion of fans. Osaka celebrated her win calmly and coolly unlike the floods of tears which greeted her last-16 victory over Aryna Sabalenka.
ALSO READ
US opens probe into Spain's reported port denials of cargo ships carrying arms to Israel
Dope issue overshadows Sinner’s Davis Cup win
Moody's credit rating upgrade for Cyprus opens door to investment, president says
Sinner opens up about doping issue after winning trophy
US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz reaches another big final at ATP Final
"I cried a lot last time and there were lots of people making fun of me. So his time I went straight to the net. I was freaking out inside and my whole body was shaking but overall I am most proud of not breaking a racquet," she added.
Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
