https://www.myjoyonline.com/australian-open-naomi-osaka-eases-past-hsieh-su-wei-to-reach-semi-finals/-------https://www.myjoyonline.com/australian-open-naomi-osaka-eases-past-hsieh-su-wei-to-reach-semi-finals/
Serena Williams won her 23rd and last Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 2017

Serena Williams produced a stunning performance to beat second seed Simona Halep and set up an Australian Open semi-final with Naomi Osaka.

The 39-year-old American, bidding for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title, won 6-3 6-3 against the Romanian.

Williams overcame a slight dip at the start of the second set, winning the final five games to clinch victory.

Earlier on Tuesday, Osaka cruised past Hsieh Su-wei in just 66 minutes to reach the last four.

The Japanese third seed, who won the second of her three Grand Slam titles at Melbourne Park in 2019, beat the Taiwanese 6-2 6-2.

Now Osaka will face Williams - a seven-time champion in Melbourne - on Thursday for a place in Saturday's final.

Naomi Osaka makes a shot
Naomi Osaka won her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 2019

Osaka has had a difficult draw at Melbourne Park but the 23-year-old has dropped just one set en route to the last four.

She saved two match points to beat two-time major winner Garbine Muguruza in the quarter-finals and looked refreshed against Hseih.

After saving a break point in the opening game of the match, Osaka chased down Hseih's slices and shots to take an early break in the first set.

She hit 24 winners, compared to 14 unforced errors, and amassed 12 break points on the Hseih serve, converting four.

Osaka beat Williams to win her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2018, but she has won just one of her previous four matches against Halep.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.