Since returning to competition in 2018 after a difficult childbirth, which included a C-section delivery and complications stemming from blood clots, Williams has played in 11 Grand Slam tournaments and advanced to the semifinals or finals in six. Williams’s last Grand Slam title came at the 2017 Australian Open, which she won while two months pregnant with her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian. Despite moving as well on the court as she has in years, Williams, 39, could not keep pace with Osaka, 23, a three-time Grand Slam champion who has a streak of 20 match victories. The loss for Williams came five months after she took the first set but was toppled at the United States Open by Victoria Azarenka. In the final, Osaka will face Jennifer Brady, who outlasted Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. They had returned to Melbourne Park on Thursday after a five-day lockdown imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic, and she acknowledged their ovation by waving to the crowd and placing her hand over her heart. Osaka finished with 20 winners to 12 by Williams, who left the Rod Laver Arena court to a standing ovation from the spectators.
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