NEW YORK, September 5, 2018

Naomi Osaka has become the first Japanese woman to advance to the semi-finals of a Grand Slam since Kimiko Date at Wimbledon 1996. The No. 20 seed, who is making her third US Open main draw appearance, eased past Lesia Tsurenko from the Ukraine 6-1, 6-1 at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday afternoon.

Osaka sent down five aces, winning 91 per cent of her first service points to secure victory in only 57 minutes. The 20-year-old will appear in the stage of the final four at a major for the first time.

“It means a lot,” said Osaka. “I was freaking out inside. My entire body was shaking, but I was really glad I was able to play well today. I fought for every point. I think that’s something that I’ve struggled with in the past. I think I’ve matured a little bit.”

Osaka will play the winner of the night match between Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro or 14th seed Madison Keys from the United States for a place in Saturday’s final.