(MENAFN - Gulf Times) Japan s Naomi Osaka brutally halted Serena Williams s latest bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title yesterday, as Novak Djokovic wrote the final chapter of qualifier Aslan Karatsev s fairy-tale run.
Fans returned after a five-day coronavirus lockdown in time to see an emotional exit from Williams, Jennifer Brady s win over Karolina Muchova and top-ranked Djokovic preserving his perfect semi-final record at Karatsev s expense.
Triple major-winner Osaka, 23, again proved Williams s nemesis with a one-sided 6-3, 6-4 win which heightened questions about whether the American, 39, will ever match Margaret Court s all-time record for Slam singles titles.
Williams put her hand on her heart as she acknowledged a standing ovation on Rod Laver Arena, and later walked out of her post-match press conference in tears, saying: I m done.
Serena Williams broke down in tears and cut short her post-match news conference on Thursday after her 6-3 6-4 defeat to Naomi Osaka in the Australian Open semi-finals ended her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.