New York: Naomi Osaka announced her arrival on the big stage at the US Open tennis tournament here Thursday, by beating last year’s runner-up Madison Keys 6-2, 6-4 to reach her first Grand Slam final and set up a clash with her childhood idol Serena Williams. In the process she created history by becoming the first Japanese and second Asian woman to reach a Grand Slam final.
Osaka had to fight hard to overcome 14th seed Keys who failed to convert any of the 13 breakpoints she had. The Japanese was far more clinical converting three of the four chances that came her way.
“This is going to sound really bad, but I was just thinking I really want to play Serena,” Osaka said in an on-court interview. “I love you (Serena). I love everybody. It feels a little bit surreal. Even when I was a little kid, I always dreamed that I would play Serena in a final of a Grand Slam.
Six-time champion Serena meanwhile swept aside Anastasija Sevastova to reach a ninth US Open final. She needed just 66 minutes to waltz into the summit clash round with the scoreline reading 6-3, 6-0 in her favour.
Serena called her return to the US Open final for a ninth time ‘incredible’ given that she was undergoing surgery for life threatening blood clots this time last year in the wake of giving birth.
“To come from that, in the hospital bed, not being able to move and walk and do anything, now only a year later, I’m not training, but I’m actually in these finals, two in a row is incredible,” said Serena, who also reached the final at Wimbledon.
But with six titles here she needs just one more to surpass Chris Evert for most all-time – and she needs just one more Grand Slam trophy to equal Australian Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24.
Osaka, 20 and in the last four at a Slam for the first time, admitted she was driven by the idea of facing Serena. Asked how she managed to save all 13 break points she faced, Osaka said: “I was just thinking I really want to play Serena.” Asked to elaborate, Osaka seemed stunned. “Because she’s Serena – what do you mean!” Osaka shot back.
Osaka won her only prior meeting with Serena, in the first round at Miami in March – the American star’s second tournament since giving birth. “I definitely wasn’t at my best,” informed Serena, now in her seventh tournament back.