Toronto, Aug. 10 -- Serena Williams advanced to the Rogers Cup semifinals Friday night, beating soon-to-be-top-ranked Naomi Osaka of Japan 6-3, 6-4 at breezy at York University.

Playing her first event since losing the Wimbledon final, Williams faced Osaka for the first time since losing to her last year in the U.S. Open final.

"I knew her game a little bit more, so that's a little easier. I'm just overall a little bit better," Williams said. "I know her game. I watch her a lot. I know what I need to do to hopefully try to get a win today, and it helped a little bit. I go into every match thinking I can do it, but sometimes that doesn't happen.

Williams will face Czech qualifier Marie Bouzkova on Saturday. Bouzkova led fourth-seeded Si...