Australian Open: Serena, Osaka through to quarter-finals, Dimitrov upsets Thiem

TENNIS superstar Serena Williams overcame Aryna Sabalenka in a ferocious women’s singles fourth-round battle on Sunday at Rod Laver Arena to advance at Australian Open 2021.

In the first ever meeting between two of the game’s biggest hitters, Williams’ greater poise, versatility and consistency saw her emerge with a 6-4 2-6 6-4 victory.

Williams, in her ongoing quest for a 24th major singles title, will face either Simona Halep or Iga Swiatek for a place in the semi-finals.

Also on Sunday, Naomi Osaka sounded her Australian Open title intentions loud and clear, saving two match points in an impressive fourth-round comeback over fellow former No.1 Garbine Muguruza.

Trailing a set and a break in the second, a break in the third and staring down match points at 4-5, the No.3 seed shifted up a gear to conjure up a 4-6 6-4 7-5 victory.

Between them, they have split a career Grand Slam – Muguruza a French and Wimbledon, Osaka two US Opens and an Australian Open.

In the men’s singles event, Grigor Dimitrov engineered the first huge upset at Australian Open 2021 by knocking off last year’s finalist Dominic Thiem in straight sets at his most successful Grand Slam. 

Thiem became the first top-three seed in either singles draw to exit after the Bulgarian prevailed 6-4 6-4 6-0 to end Sunday’s day session at Rod Laver Arena. 

Dimitrov made a fourth quarter-final at Melbourne Park and collected a 28th Australian Open victory. 

On paper, he will be expected to keep it going since Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev – who rallied past Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 3-6 1-6 6-3 6-3 6-4 earlier on Sunday – meets him in the last eight. 

Ausopen.com.