Daily US Times: Tennis star Naomi Osaka demonstrated her growing maturity to fight back against Victoria Azarenka in a compelling US Open final and claim her third Grand Slam title.
Japanese fourth seed Osaka won 1-6 6-3 6-3 for her second US Open title.
The 22-year-old was overwhelmed in the first set and was in danger of trailing 3-0 in the second before recovering to win 10 of the next 12 games to take momentum.
Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, in her first major final since 2013, was broken for 5-3 in the decider before Osaka served out.
Osaka shrieked with joy as she took her second match point. She then calmly lay on the court and stared at the New York sky as she contemplated her latest achievement.
Osaka’s level raised considerably as Azarenka was unable to maintain the intensity she showed in a one-sided opening set.
The fightback ensured Osaka, who won 2019 Australian Open and 2018 US Open maintained her record of winning every Grand Slam final she has played in.
Osaka jokingly told Azarenka: “I don’t want to play you in any more finals, I didn’t really enjoy that, it was a really tough match for me.”
“It was really inspiring for me because I used to watch you play here when I was younger. I learned a lot, so thank you,” she added.
Two years ago, Osaka’s maiden victory at Flushing Meadows came in straight sets against Serena Williams in a hostile environment following the American’s infamous argument with umpire Carlos Ramos.
Osaka was in tears as she stood on the podium waiting to collect her first Grand Slam trophy.
The Japanese looked a little lost as Azarenka overwhelmed her in a fast start, hitting 13 unforced errors and struggling to cope with the Belarusian’s proactive play and controlled aggression.
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