Osaka into first semi-final since 2022 ahead of Australian Open

The four-time Grand Slam champion beat unseeded American Hailey Baptiste 6-7 (2/7), 6-1, 6-2 in another confidence boost ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne. Osaka said her hard work was starting to pay off after booking a place in the final four of a WTA event for the first time since the Miami Open in April 2022. The Japan star gave birth to daughter Shai in July the following year, midway through a 15-month break, before returning to the tour 12 months ago. "I put a lot of work in throughout...