Naomi Osaka became the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam title in single’s event by beating Serena Williams in a controversial final in New York. Naomi, 20 got the better of Williams in straight sets 6-2, 6-4. The American tennis star was given a violation from chair umpire Carlos Ramos for illegal coaching from her player box during the first set. She told Ramos, “I don’t cheat to win, I’d rather lose. I’m just letting you know.”
It was battle of a superstar who was on a resurgent terms versus a rising tennis star from Asia. But the youth prevailed over experience at the last.
Just one year after giving birth to her child- Alexis Olympia via emergency cesarean section, Serena Williams had a near-death experience involving pulmonary embolism but one year later she was again back to be best in the US open final. The New York crowd was backing the American player to pull-off a win but an inspired Naomi Osaka had some other plans as she succeeded in creating history.
“I know everyone was cheering for her and I’m sorry it had to end like this,” said Osaka. “It was always my dream to play Serena in the U.S. Open finals … I’m really grateful I was able to play with you,” said Osaka after the match.
Earlier in the game, Serena suffered a game penalty at for court violation after which she blasted Ramos saying “You will never, ever, ever be on another court of mine as long as you live. You are the liar. When are you going to give me my apology? You owe me an apology. Say it. Say you’re sorry. … And you stole a point from me. You’re a thief, too!”
Also read: US Open 2018: Serena Williams slammed for stealing the spot light of Naomi Osaka
Osaka had the upper hand when she lead 5-3 after Williams was slapped with a penalty and the world Number 20 from Japan hold her serve to take the set 6-2. Williams showed some fight in the second set but that was not enough to stop Osaka register an emphatic victory over her childhood idol.
If Williams would have registered a win in the finals then it would have been her seventh U.S. Open title, meaning she would have tied for the most Grand Slam singles titles of all time with tennis legend Margaret Court.
It was certainly a bizarre finals and history will see this match as the most controversial grand slam finals of all time.
