Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GAME, SET AND MATCH OF THE DAY
Women’s soccer team owners Williams and Osaka set for epic semi-final clash
IT’S Serena Williams v Naomi Osaka in the last four of the Australian Open – and Angel City FC v North Carolina Courage.
The two stars will meet for the first time in a Grand Slam since their infamous 2018 US Open final in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Williams, who turns 40 in September, will play her 40th Major semi-final in pursuit of a recordequalling 24th
Grand Slam singles title.
Reigning US
Open champion
Osaka is seeking to win back-to-back
Majors.
But off the court, the two entrepreneurs are united in support of women’s sport and have both invested in the National Women’s Soccer League in the USA.
Williams has joined fellow celebrities including Billie Jean
King, Mia Hamm and James Corden as a partner in future Los Angeles expansion team Angel City FC.
And world No.3 Osaka, who overtook Williams as Forbes’ highest-paid female athlete last year, became an owner of the North Carolina Courage last month.
The Japanese No.1 said: “I’m sure we’ll represent our teams very proudly and a lot of people will be excited. I think for me it’s more of a unity thing and to show your support.”
Williams added: “I feel like women’s soccer is one of the most exciting sports ever. These athletes are so good at what they do, so amazing, and it’s really awesome to be a part of supporting other women athletes.”
Osaka, whose father is Haitian, has also used her profile to fight for racial justice and famously wore face masks bearing the names of seven black Americans to honour victims of police brutality before each round of the US Open last year.
“She is a such a strong player on the court and such an inspiration off the court, which I think is really cool,” said Williams. “It is so good to see someone so inspiring in both things.”
Osaka’s first Grand Slam title in New York in 2018 was overshadowed by Williams getting hit with three code violations as she ranted against chair umpire Carlos Ramos. Both players ended the final in tears.
“I think we both have had closure, and we have reached out to each other since,” Williams revealed. “I think she’s a great competitor and she’s a cool cat.”
The American gained revenge for her 2019 Wimbledon final defeat to Simona Halep yesterday by beating the world No.2 6-3 6-3. Osaka extended her winning streak to 19 matches with a clinical 6-2 6-2 win over Hsieh Su-wei.
VIRAT KOHLI has avoided punishment for his angry exchanges with the second Test umpires.
The India skipper was at the heart of the on-field antics, which included getting into the face of the England players and the umpires and whipping up the crowd.
“We showed more grit and determination,” said Kohli. “We didn’t panic out there. It was the perfect game for us.”
And Kohli will continue with the theatrics as India push on for a 3-1 series win to qualify for the
World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June.
He added: “We were on the money in terms of body language and what we wanted on the field.
“It’s my responsibility to involve everyone, to bring everyone in. That motivation pushes you to do special things.”