The quarterfinals of the Australian Open got underway Monday evening, and it was bound to be an exciting day on Rod Laver Arena. Naomi Osaka and Su-Wei Hsieh kicked things off.

Osaka led the head-to-head 4-1, but the world number three has gone the distance with Hsieh in four of five meetings with their lone straight sets match coming in Stuttgart in 2019. This also happened to be a rematch Down Under two years later with the two meeting in the third round as Osaka beat Hsieh en route to her second major title.

The 2019 champion Down Under improved her major quarterfinal record to 4-0 after a dominant win over Hsieh, winning 6-2, 6-2. She will face the winner of the women's nightcap between Serena Williams and Simona Halep.

Osaka Cruises In Opener

The opening two games gave us a taste of what we were to expect this match, Osaka's power against Hsieh's guile and finesse. Neither woman had difficulty holding serve in the early stages, but it would be Osaka who would have the first looks at 0-40.

Despite saving three of them, Osaka broke after a backhand up the line on her fourth try. The Taiwanese made the 2019 Australian Open champion work to consolidate the break as Osaka missed first serves consistently throughout the game. The Japanese number one capped it off with an overhead as she edged 4-1 in the opening set.

Another look to break for Osaka came and went as Hsieh used her mixups to hold for 4-2. The three seed controlled the baseline as she held three looks to break for the set. A backhand error gifted the set to three-time major champion as she looked well in control early of what looked to be a testy affair.

Osaka's baseline game dictated a lot of the opening set (Matt King/Getty Images)
Osaka's baseline game dictated a lot of the opening set (Matt King/Getty Images)

Osaka Cruises To The Semis

Osaka quickly broke to start the second set. After a return winner over the high part of the net, a Hsieh error off of Osaka's return while break point down gifted the Japanese number one a 2-0 lead.

The three-time major champion was tested in her third service game but still did not face a break point in it. She followed that up with a dominant service game which included back-to-back aces and a forehand winner to move within a game of the semifinals.

Hsieh saved both the first two match points, including the first one after a long rally which even saw Osaka smile after the point. Third time was the charm for the Japanese number one to clinch her spot in the semifinals.

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