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Serena Williams is getting closer to the story. The American needs two wins in the Australian Open 2021 to record her 24th career Grand Slam title and tie Margaret Court at the top of the list. Only problem: she will face Naomi Osaka in the semifinals.
“First of all, I’m in the semifinals. It’s pretty awesome. So it’s exciting,” said Williams, the 10th seed, after her straight-set victory over No.2 Simona Halep. “It doesn’t matter who I really play in the semifinals. It’s a Grand Slam semifinal. No one gets there by chance, so I have to be prepared.”
It’s been just over four years since Williams won a Grand Slam; she beat her sister Venus at the Australian Open in 2017. Since then she has won a tournament: the Auckland Classic in 2020.
“This is Serena, someone I feel really intimidated when I see her on the other side of the field,” said Osaka, who has beaten Williams twice before.
Osaka, the third seed, advanced to the semi-finals with an impressive 6-2, 6-2 victory over Su-Wei Hsieh (who upset Canada’s Bianca Andreescu in the second round). The 23-year-old’s only tough game was the fourth round where she faced two match points before beating Garbine Muguruza. She will be looking to add to her collection of material including two trophies from the US Open (2018, 2020) and one from the Australian Open (2019).
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How to watch Serena Williams vs. Naomi Osaka at the Australian Open
The Australian Open women’s singles semi-final between Serena Williams and Noami Osaka will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Tennis Channel. You can also stream the match live with ESPN + or fuboTV. Viewers in Canada can watch the game on TSN1 / 5.
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What time does Serena Williams start against Naomi Osaka?
The Serena Williams v Naomi Osaka game is scheduled for a friendly start in North America at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
Australian Open 2021 calendar
Australian Open matches can be streamed on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN + and the Tennis Channel to stream on ESPN.com or fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial.
In Canada, TSN hosts the Australian Open with access also to the TSN and TSN Direct app.
| Wednesday February 17th | Men’s double final, women’s semi-finals | 6:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. | Tennis channel, ESPN2 |
| Thursday February 18 | Men’s semi-finals | 3:30 am – 6:00 am | ESPN |
| Women’s doubles final | 23h00 – 2h00 | Tennis chain | |
| Friday February 19 | Mixed doubles semi-finals, women’s doubles final | 12 h | ESPN + |
| Men’s semi-finals | 3:30 am – 6:00 am | ESPN | |
| Saturday February 20 | Women’s final | 3:30 am – 7:30 am | ESPN, tennis channel, ESPN + |
| Men’s doubles final | 23h00 – 12h30 | Tennis chain, ESPN + | |
| Sunday February 21 | Men’s final | 3:30 am – 6:30 am | ESPN |
Serena Williams vs. Naomi Osaka face to face
Wednesday’s landmark meeting marks the fourth meeting of the two stars. Williams’ only victory at the Rogers Cup of Canada in 2019. Osaka’s victories came at the 2018 Miami Open and the 2018 US Open. This Grand Slam encounter saw Osaka, who is a junior 16-year-old Williams, winning his first title. His victory, however, was marred by a verbal altercation between Williams and the chair umpire during the match which saw him get three field violations and Osaka in tears at the end as the books rained down on Arthur Stadium. Ashe.
“I know everyone encouraged her,” she said. “I’m sorry it ended like this. I just want to say thank you for watching the game.”
According to Williams, the pair put the Open behind them.
“I think we both experienced closure, and we got closer,” said Williams after his quarter-final match at Melbourne Park. “I definitely reached out.
“I think she’s a great competitor and she’s a cool kitten.”
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