Serena Williams relishing Australian Open semi clash with ‘cool cat’ Naomi Osaka

Serena Williams smiles after beating Simona Halep (Hamish Blair/AP)

Serena Williams is excited to face “cool cat” Naomi Osaka as the pair prepare to lock horns at a grand slam for the first time since their notorious 2018 US Open final.

Both have been in impressive form at Melbourne Park, with Williams showing her improved fitness in a 6-3 6-3 victory over Simona Halep in the quarter-finals on Tuesday and Osaka producing a mature display to beat Hsieh Su-wei 6-2 6-2.