Williams vs Osaka is a generation shock with several common threads

"I played obscenity," she said in an interview in April, avoiding a four-letter word. "I think my expectations are incredibly high and I think that after Miami, I wanted to have more expectations, not realistic, but more reasonable expectations for me. I have therefore taken some free time and started to coach as many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many.

Williams surely had Osaka in his mind during some of these workouts.

"It was good that I play it, because I know how she plays now," Williams said Thursday. "I mean, I was breastfeeding at the time, so it was a totally different situation. That was what it was. I hope that I will not play like that anymore. I can only ride this match.

Its physical form and shape have certainly improved. She has continued to struggle on regular tours, but Williams has won 15 of the 16 Grand Slam games she has played in this very busy comeback season.

"She looks great right now," said Bajin. "And if you look at her Grand Slam record, she's definitely a different player, especially in a Grand Slam final, whether she's in Miami or any other tournament. So, I know that Serena is not going to give it to us and I hope Naomi will be a good match. "

The potential is clearly there. Osaka, with a base game inspired by Williams, had a decisive season and won the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, before spreading to New York. She escaped just one set – the dangerous newcomer Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round – and routinely eliminated her opponents in about an hour.

Thursday night, in his first Grand Slam semifinal, Osaka brilliantly managed to defeat Madison Keys, 6-2, 6-4. Osaka saved the 13 breaking points she faced, often with first decisive services or daring shots.