Serena Williams wins Naomi Osaka rematch

Serena Williams is through to the Toronto semifinals after overpowering second seed Naomi Osaka 6-3 6-4.

The 37-year-old American hit 12 aces and did not face a break point in the highly-anticipated rematch of last year’s US Open final.

The eighth-seeded Williams dictated play in windy conditions during the 76-minute quarterfinal, forcing Osaka behind the baseline and struggling to find rhythm. Serena hit 31 winners to Osaka’s five.

.@serenawilliams books a spot in the @rogerscup semifinals!

She takes out Osaka, 6-3, 6-4 ???? pic.twitter.com/0CF017UkKP

— WTA (@WTA) August 10, 2019

It is Serena’s first victory over Osaka, having lost their two previous meetings.

“I’m getting better, so that’s a good thing,” Serena said of her building form.

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There is some consolation for Osaka, who is guaranteed to return to world No.1 in the WTA rankings next week after Karolina Pliskova’s quarterfinal loss. The Czech needed to advance to the semifinals to have a chance to reclaim the top spot.

Canadian teen Bianca Andreescu continued her incredible run to defeat Pliskova, posting a 6-0 2-6 6-4 victory. She becomes the first local woman to advance to the final four at the tournament since 1979.

“When I step out on the court, I’m fearless. I show no mercy no matter who I play, and I think that’s showing a lot,” the 19-year-old said.

Incredible!@Bandreescu_ beats third seed Pliskova 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 to reach the semifinals of the @rogerscup !#RC19 pic.twitter.com/jEygfGjmX1

— WTA (@WTA) August 9, 2019

World No.29 Sofia Kenin awaits in the semifinals. The 20-year-old American defeated world No.7 Elina Svitolina 7-6(2) 6-4 in the quarterfinals – her second top-10 victory of the tournament.

The winner of the Andreescu-Kenin semifinal will make their top 20 debut next week.

“I played her twice this year already, so I know what to expect from her,” No.27-ranked Andreescu said of Kenin. “She is a fighter. She gets to a lot of balls. So I’m going to go out there and just give my best performance.”

Williams will face Czech qualifier Marie Bouzkova in the other semifinal. Bouzkova was leading 6-4 when Simona Halep retired with an ankle injury in their quarterfinal.