Serena and Osaka to meet for first time since 2018 US Open final

Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka will go head-to-head for the first time since the controversial 2018 US Open decider after the pair reached the Rogers Cup quarter-finals.

Osaka prevailed against childhood hero Williams last year at Flushing Meadows, where the 23-time grand slam champion’s epic meltdown contributed to her defeat.

Williams was issued a code violation for what umpire Carlos Ramos deemed to be coaching from Patrick Mouratoglou, irritating the former world number one who insisted she was not a cheat.

A point penalty for racquet abuse led to her branding Ramos a “liar” and a “thief” and she was then docked a game, after which she called for the match referee and alleged she was being treated differently to male players.

Osaka’s maiden major was overshadowed by Williams’ behaviour. Now, the two players are set for a rematch in Toronto.

SERENA SURVIVES ALEXANDROVA TEST

The 37-year-old American star was pushed by Ekaterina Alexandrova in a 7-5 6-4 victory on Thursday.

Williams trailed the Russian qualifier 3-0 in the first and 3-1 in the second, however, the eighth seed produced when it mattered most to advance at the WTA Premier event.

.@serenawilliams books a quarterfinal slot at the @rogerscup!

She knocks out Alexandrova, 7-5, 6-4 pic.twitter.com/VfumBTzF9R

— WTA (@WTA) August 9, 2019

A three-time champion, Williams – playing for the first time since Wimbledon – said: “I definitely feel like it takes a while to get back into the rhythm, because we’ve had a long season of just clay and then grass, and now we’re on hard courts. So it definitely feels different, especially for me now. Usually I don’t feel that huge of a difference, but for whatever reason I do this year.”

OSAKA ON TRACK TO RECLAIM TOP RANKING

Australian Open champion and second seed Osaka overcame teenager Iga Swiatek 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 in the last 16.

Osaka rallied from a break and two set points down to eventually prevail against the Polish 18-year-old.

.@Naomi_Osaka_ completes the @rogerscup quarterfinal lineup!

She hustles a 7-6(4), 6-4 win over Swiatek pic.twitter.com/Nz107mMJGm

— WTA (@WTA) August 9, 2019

The Japanese star is on track to return to the WTA’s summit on Monday ahead of Karolina Pliskova, who must beat Bianca Andreescu to have any chance of claiming the top ranking.

Pliskova accounted for Anett Kontaveit 6-3 7-5, while Andreescu outlasted Kiki Bertens 6-1 6-7 (7-9) 6-4.

HALEP’S TITLE DEFENCE ALIVE

Defending champion Simona Halep eased past Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2 6-1 in just 67 minutes.

Halep – the fourth seed – was a class above as she reached the Rogers Cup quarters for the fifth time.

The defending champion moves on @Simona_Halep moves past Kuznetsova, 6-2, 6-1.#RC19 pic.twitter.com/Qo6x7r5jJE

— WTA (@WTA) August 8, 2019

Next up for Halep is qualifier Marie Bouzkova, who stunned former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-2.

Sixth seed Elina Svitolina and Sofia Kenin also moved through to the last eight.