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Remind me next time

The 2021 Australian Open semi-finals get underway on Thursday and the first of the women's last-four encounters promises to be an absolute cracker between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams.

This will be the first competitive meeting between the pair since the 2018 US Open final when Osaka beats Williams in straight sets, although that day is widely remembered for the American accusing umpire Carlos Ramos of being a "thief" in some of the most dramatic scenes at a Grand Slam final.

Since breaking her Grand Slam duck at Flushing Meadows, Osaka has triumphed at the 2019 Australian Open before landing the US Open for the second time last year when beating Victoria Azarenka.

As for Williams, she has lost in two further Grand Slam finals, both coming in 2019 at Wimbledon and then the US Open, and the US legend is still searching for that elusive 24th major title that will move her level with Australian Margaret Court.

Osaka vs Williams Betting Odds

Third seed Osaka is the highest-ranked player left in the draw and she has only dropped one set en route to the semi-final, that coming against Garbine Muguruza in a gruelling fourth-round encounter.

The Japanese is the 4/6 favourite to book her place in the final although she will be put through her paces against Williams, who says she played the best match of her tournament when beating Simona Halep in the quarters.

Williams, who would become the second-oldest female player at 39 to win a Grand Slam, behind only Molla Mallory who won the US Championship in 1926 at the age of 42, is 6/4 to win her semi-final.

Osaka vs Williams H2H

These two have met three times in competitive matches, with Osaka triumphing in the first meeting at the 2018 Miami Masters before then coming out on top in the US Open final later that year.

Williams did pick up the victory at the 2019 Canadian Masters, winning 6-3 6-4 in the quarter-finals, while the American recently defeated Osaka 6-2 2-6 10-7 in their last meeting at a January exhibition in Adelaide.

Osaka vs Williams Prediction

Osaka to Win 2-1 - BET NOW

Both players have enjoyed relatively simple paths to this stage of the tournament, with Osaka dropping just one set against Muguruza while Williams has also only given up one set in her fourth-round win over Aryna Sabalenka.

The H2H shows these two don't go the distance, with all three competitive meetings played out in straight sets, but this should be a much tighter contest against two players that love the hardcourt.

All three of Osaka's Grand Slam wins have come on the hard surface, while 13 of Williams' 23 titles have come away from grass and clay, showing the affinity these two have for these types of matches.

Although looking fit and healthy during the win over Halep, there is the worry that Williams will struggle the longer her semi-final goes on and this is where Osaka can make her youth count.

The Japanese ace has a good array of shots, meaning she can make her opponent run all over the court, and this is likely to see her edge this encounter 2-1.

Total Games Over 23.5 - BET NOW

With the expectation this one will go the distance, it is worth looking into the total games market and there appears to be tremendous value in backing over 23.5, which is available at a juicy price.

There isn't great evidence on results at this year's tournament to suggest this will come off, but there is enough from the serving statistics of both players to make the assumption over 23.5 games will come off.

Osaka currently leads the ACE charts, having served up 38, while Williams is following closely behind in second with 32 - proving they are two of the best servers around and can rack up these free points.

It is worth noting Williams and Osaka are third and fourth respectively in the first serve win department, both averaging 79 per cent, and the fact they are also rarely broken should make for a long match.

Total Tie Breaks Over 0.5 - BET NOW

Based on the same premise as the total games selection, backing total tie breaks at over 0.5 looks good value based on how strong the service game is for both players.

Further to the points made earlier, Williams has the fastest serve speed at 202 km/h, just ahead of Osaka at 196 km/h, and these two are unlikely to give up too much on their own serve.

This should make for some close sets and there is a high probability a tie break will be needed at least once.

Osaka vs Williams Betting Tips

1. Osaka to Win 2-1 - BET NOW
2. Total Games Over 23.5 - BET NOW
3. Total Tie Breaks Over 0.5 - BET NOW

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Osaka vs Williams Betting Tips