Japanese tennis typhoon Naomi Osaka lifted her third Grand Slam title after defeating former World Number one Victoria Azarenka in the rollercoaster final at US Open 2020. Naomi bounced back from her sluggish start in the championship match and with her super powerful forehands, she picked up a terrific 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory.
Game. Set. Championship.
Naomi Osaka secures her 2nd #USOpen title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Yjnl1U1gUO
— ESPN (@espn) September 12, 2020
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Naomi Osaka achieves a new feat
With this, Naomi Osaka becomes a two-time US Open champion at just 22-years of age. Additionally, she is now fourth in the list of most Grand Slams won by an active player. Serena Williams (23), Venus Williams (7), and Kim Clijsters(4) are at the first three spots. She is tied on the fourth spot alongside German ace, Angelique Kerber.
“I want to congratulate Vika. I actually don’t want to play you in more finals. I didn’t really enjoy that, that was a really tough match for me,” Naomi stated after her phenomenal win.
Post her win, she lay down on the court for a while and reflected: “I always see everyone collapse after match point. But I always think you may injure yourself so I wanted to do it safely.”
Belarusian tennis ace Azarenka was playing a Grand Slam final after seven long years, and she was in search of her third Major title and her first US Open crown. Previously, during the years 2012 and 2013, she lost to Serena Williams in the US Open finals and was finally looking to fulfill her destiny. Unfortunately for her, Osaka’s grit was too strong on this particular day.
“I thought the third time was a charm, but I guess I’ll have to try again. Congratulations to Naomi and your team. I hope we can meet in some more finals again,” she said on the court.
Naomi’s followers showered her with praise. That includes LA Lakers’ basketball professional LeBron James, her compatriot Kei Nishikori and tennis legend Rod Laver.
Second #USOpen 🏆 vibes pic.twitter.com/LAvcN0vx6G
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 12, 2020
😘 x 2️⃣@naomiosaka | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/qWywoMg4Md
— wta (@WTA) September 12, 2020
Fighting all the way, congratulations on winning your third Slam @naomiosaka. There will be many more. 🚀 https://t.co/Ru1lZoaRCq
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) September 12, 2020
Wow what a women’s final! Congrats champ @naomiosaka 👏🏻🏆 and mad respect to @vika7 on an incredible incredible comeback! Two strong fighters! 💪🏻💪🏻 @usopen
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) September 12, 2020
GREAT COMEBACK!! Congrats @naomiosaka! 🙏🏾✊🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 12, 2020
👏👏👏👏👏@naomiosaka @vika7 👏👏👏👏👏 #USOpen https://t.co/NTAeMcH4Cx
— Gabriela Sabatini (@sabatinigabyok) September 12, 2020
💪💪💪💪👍👍👍👍@naomiosaka 👍👍👍💪💪💪🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵👍👍💪💪🇯🇵🇯🇵🙏🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/agyA5XqlFn
— Kei Nishikori (@keinishikori) September 12, 2020
Naomi Osaka is special
— Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) September 12, 2020
NAOMI!!!!! @naomiosaka! @usopen
— Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) September 12, 2020
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Congratulations @naomiosaka What a performance from a set down in the finals. Thank you for your voice and impressive tennis.
— James Blake (@JRBlake) September 12, 2020
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Well done @naomiosaka on a great fight… and what a great couple of weeks @vika7 proud to have witnessed it all!! @usopen @espn pic.twitter.com/4xcHsNa2sz
— Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs) September 12, 2020