via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK: (L-R) Naomi Osaka of Japan taps rackets at center court with Jennifer Brady of the United States after winning their Women’s Singles semifinal match on Day Eleven of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK: (L-R) Naomi Osaka of Japan taps rackets at center court with Jennifer Brady of the United States after winning their Women’s Singles semifinal match on Day Eleven of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Over the years, Naomi Osaka has played some memorable matches. From her first WTA title at Indian Wells to winning her 4th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, the Japanese sensation has enthralled tennis fans across the globe. Moreover, she has dominated the head-to-head battles against some big names like Serena Williams. Recently, her close rival Jennifer Brady opened up on her match against Osaka at the 2020 US Open.
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The two players began their rivalry at New Braunfels in 2014. The American won that encounter in straight sets. However, things started to turn in favor of Osaka when they met again after four years. Since their opening battle, the two have faced each other three times, with Osaka winning all of them.
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Women’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 20, 2021 Japan’s Naomi Osaka and Jennifer Brady of the U.S. embrace after their final match REUTERS/Loren Elliott
DIVE DEEPER: ‘Everyone Had to Start Somewhere’: Naomi Osaka’s Words of Inspiration Towards a Fan
Jennifer Brady talks about her match against Naomi Osaka at the 2020 US Open
The two players faced each other in the semifinal of the 2020 US Open. The Japanese star took that match in a hard-fought three-setter thriller. She eventually went on to win the title that year. Speaking about the match in a recent podcast, Brady said, “Yeah, it was really strange. It was different. Honestly, all I could hear was the rain. The roof was closed. It was absolutely downpouring. All I could hear was the rain hitting the roof, and I was like Jesus, absolutely pouring out there during the match. But it was definitely one of the best matches.”
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Osaka won that match 7-6, 3-6, 6-3. The American had not dropped a set in that tournament en route to her semi-final. However, she could not overpower her Japanese rival and eventually bowed out of the tournament. After her victory, Osaka said, “It means a lot for me. I kind of consider New York my second home. I really love the atmosphere, even though sadly there’s no people here, I really feel this court really suits me well.”
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 10, 2020; Flushing Meadows, New York, USA; Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts after winning the match against Jennifer Brady of the United States in the women’s singles semifinals match on day eleven of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports | Reuters
While Jennifer Brady has been missing from the tour owing to her foot injury, Osaka has had a slow start to the 2022 season. The 4-time Grand Slam champion will next play at Indian Wells scheduled next month.
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