Osaka, currently ranked 3rd in the world, faced Williams in the semifinals in Melbourne on Thursday.
Osaka got off to a shaky start, handing a break to the 11th-ranked Williams. But after losing the first two games, Osaka took control with her powerful strokes. She won five games in a row to finally grab the set 6-3.
Osaka maintained her momentum in the second set with her serves and backhands, clinching the set 6-4.
Osaka's 2-0 victory ended William's bid to win another Grand Slam title. She currently holds the record of 23 career Grand Slam titles.
Osaka said she was really nervous and scared at the beginning and made a lot of unforced errors. But she said she decided to have fun because there was a crowd inside the arena.
Spectators were allowed back in from Thursday, after a coronavirus lockdown for Melbourne was lifted the previous day.
Osaka said it's always an honor to play Williams and that she "didn't want to go out really bad." She said she just wanted to do her best.
Osaka will be playing in her second Australian Open final on Saturday. She won the title in 2019.
- NHK
Japan's Olympics minister said Wednesday that coronavirus vaccinations would not be a prerequisite for participation at this summer's Olympics and Paralympics, despite a World Anti-Doping Agency appeal that athletes be inoculated. (Kyodo)
Roughly 1,000 volunteers who were to help out at this summer's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have quit in the wake of sexist comments by former organizing committee president Yoshiro Mori, the committee said Wednesday. (Kyodok)
Travel virtually anywhere in Japan and it won’t be long before you hear the distinctive cacophony of a pachinko parlour ringing out. (newsonjapan.com)
Mongolian-born yokozuna Hakuho on Monday spoke of his frustration at missing the January Grand Sumo Tournament after contracting the novel coronavirus, while remaining hopeful of a memorable return at the upcoming March meet.
(Kyodo)
The Japan Sumo Association imposed the second most severe punishment on stablemaster Tokitsukaze on Monday, recommending he retire for violating coronavirus protocols when he made nonurgent, nonessential outings during a basho.
(Kyodo)
Japan's Naomi Osaka on Saturday defeated Jeniffer Brady 6-4, 6-3 to win the Australian Open final as she continued her unbeaten streak to 21 matches (14 Grand Slam matches). (wionews.com)
Women's tennis star Naomi Osaka on Thursday welcomed the appointment of former Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto as the new head of the Tokyo Olympics organizing committee in place of Yoshiro Mori, who resigned last week amid a storm of criticism over his sexist comments.
(Kyodo)
Hashimoto Seiko has officially been chosen as the president of the Tokyo Games organizing committee. She stepped down from her cabinet position as Olympics Minister.
(NHK)
Japanese tennis star Osaka Naomi has beaten Serena Williams in two straight sets to advance to the women's singles final at the Australian Open.
(NHK)
Over half of Japanese firms believe the Tokyo Olympic Games should be cancelled or postponed, a survey by think tank Tokyo Shoko Research showed on Monday, casting further doubt over the fate of the troubled Games. (Japan Today)
Yoshiro Mori on Thursday decided to step down as head of the Tokyo Olympics organizing committee amid a furor at home and abroad over his recent discriminatory comments about women, Nikkei has learned. (Nikkei)
Some 390 Olympic and Paralympic volunteers have decided to give up their roles in the wake of sexist remarks by Tokyo Games organizing committee chief Yoshiro Mori, the committee said Monday.
(Japan Today)
Japanese tennis player Nishikori Kei has been defeated in the first round of the Australian Open.
(NHK)
The Asian continent has experienced tremendous growth in Sports betting recently. (newsonjapan.com)
Women's world No. 3 Naomi Osaka served up a tennis master class at the Australian Open on Wednesday with a 6-2, 6-3 second-round victory over Caroline Garcia of France in Melbourne.
(Kyodo)
After igniting a social media backlash and catching international media attention, the head of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics organizing committee is apologizing for controversial comments.
(NHK)
Olympic officials have unveiled anti-coronavirus guidelines to be observed by international sports federations taking part in the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
(NHK)
Tochinoumi, who was the oldest living yokozuna, died Friday from a type of lung infection known as aspiration pneumonia at the age of 82, a Japan Sumo Association official said.
(Japan Times)
Three-time Grand Slam tennis champion Naomi Osaka of Japan has become an investor in the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the American squad announced Thursday.
(Japan Today)
The Spring Grand Sumo Tournament will be moved from its traditional Osaka venue to Tokyo to limit the mass travel of wrestlers and staff during the coronavirus pandemic, the Japan Sumo Association said Thursday.
(Kyodo)