Current world No. 2 Naomi Osaka of Japan was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Rogers Cup on Friday, losing in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 to Serena Williams.
In a rematch of the 2018 U.S. Open final, Osaka allowed Williams to take control of the match on Center Court from the get-go. Williams served well, firing two aces in the final game of the match in securing her first victory against the two-time major winner.
Osaka saved two break points and held her service game to draw level 3-3 in the first set, but the American recovered from 30-0 down in the ninth game to seal the set with an unreturnable serve. It was the first set Williams has won against Osaka in three encounters.
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In the second set, Williams broke in the third game while taking advantage of Osaka's uncertainty. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion continued to dictate the pace and completed victory in 76 minutes.
Williams hit 31 winners to Osaka's five, 12 aces to Osaka's zero, and didn't face a break point.
It was the first time they had played each other since last summer's U.S. Open, which was Osaka's first career Grand Slam. Osaka won the controversial final 6-2, 6-4 after Williams received a game penalty for arguing with officials.
Despite the loss, Osaka will move up from No. 2 to No. 1 when the new ranking is announced on Monday.
