It was all in a day’s work for Osaka

New York – Naomi Osaka (right) seemed to shrug off the weight of history on Wednesday when she beat Lesia Tsurenko at the US Open to become the first Japanese woman since 1996 to advance to the semifinals of a Grand Slam.

After forcing her opponent into a backhand error to clinch the match 6-1 6-1, Osaka neither cried nor cheered – the 20-yearold simply pumped her fist, smiled and shook hands with her beaten competitor.

It was a departure from her tearful fourth-round victory over Aryna Sabalenka and a reflection of the new mentality Osaka is embracing as she advances in the tournament.

“For me I feel like I was much more emotional for the quarters. And then now I feel like it’s sort of like business again,” Osaka told reporters.

“Quarters was sort of my mental goal, like every time I played a Grand Slam. And then after I went into the quarters, I kind of want to keep going, so I feel like I have to be focused again.”

A stellar performance in March’s Indian Wells tournament, where she clinched her first career title, has helped ease the tension, Osaka said, letting her focus on her ferocious serve and aggressive forehand.

“I think winning in Indian Wells helped me a lot, because now I feel like the state of mind that I have here is ... I don’t feel pressure, so I feel a little bit like I’m used to it,” Osaka said.

For Osaka, who next faces either Carla Suarez Navarro or 2017 finalist Madison Keys, it’s the little things she has improved.

“I think she’s playing smarter now. She’s more open-minded on the court about other things than just, yeah, trying to crush the opponent,” said her coach Sascha Bajin. –