Victoria Azarenka vs Naomi Osaka US Open 2020 Finals: Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction

In the US Open 2020 semi-finals, after Victoria Azarenka completed a comeback she termed ‘one of her best’, she earned huge support for the final, from the player she did it against. “I don’t know how she stayed positive, to be honest. So that’s a good lesson for all of us. Hopefully, she keeps living her dream,” said Serena Williams, saying that she will root for Azarenka in the final.

Azarenka has a big chance to live that dream on Saturday, something that looked far fetched just months ago. Victoria Azarenka will face 4th seed Naomi Osaka in the US Open 2020 Finals. It is officially a repeat of the Western and Southern Open final from two weeks ago. However, Osaka’s injury forced her to give Azarenka a walkover there. Osaka now has a chance to put the disappointment behind her.

Victoria Azarenka vs Naomi Osaka: Preview

Victoria Azarenka is on a 12-match unbeaten run in the US Open Series. The first set that she dropped against Williams was just the third set she lost in the last three weeks. During this phase, she has shown every aspect of a Grand Slam champion through her game.

She sailed past opponents, survived tough matches, and upped her game when needed most. Against Williams, she came back after losing the first set 6-1.

On the other side of the court will be a player who knows the feeling of winning a US Open final. The 2018 champion has lost just one match in her last 11 and that was the walkover in the Cincinnati final. She has endured three deciding set battles at the US Open 2020, including in her semi-final against Jennifer Brady.

Osaka has made one thing clear with her run in the US Open Series. She will just not back down when in trouble.

Azarenka vs Osaka: Head-to-head record

This is their fourth meeting on the Tour. In three past meetings, Azarenka and Osaka traded convincing wins in the first two. Their third match, at the 2019 French Open, was an epic contest that went Osaka’s way. Their fourth meeting was supposed to be the Cincinnati final.

Azarenka vs Osaka: US Open 2020 Finals Prediction

Azarenka’s game looks as strong as ever. Her serve is doing her proud on big points, and she dictates terms on both forehand and backhand wings. Her all-round game bailed her out on many occasions against Williams. Osaka, on the other hand, could present Azarenka with her biggest test yet. She is playing attacking tennis on key points and will come into the final on the back of 35 winners to just 17 unforced errors against Brady.

The Japanese star has had an emotional week and hopes to cap it off with the title. However, Azarenka will be highly motivated in her first major final after 7 years.

It is an even contest in many ways, but Azarenka might just have it her game to win her third Grand Slam title.

Prediction: Victoria Azarenka to win in three sets