The 2018 US Open final will be a meeting between American 23-time major champion Serena Williams and Japan’s first ever female Grand Slam finalist Naomi Osaka, who was just a one-year-old when her upcoming opponent lifted her first Grand Slam winner’s trophy.
The 17th-seeded Williams needed just 66 minutes to dispatch seed No.19 Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia 6-3 6-0 in Thursday’s semis, winning 11 of the last 12 games and losing only 12 points in the second set. Williams’ stellar net play stood out in this match, with 24 points won out of 28 net approaches, and she addressed it in her on-court interview:
I’ve been working hard on my volleys. I have won a few doubles championships, so I know how to volley. I just usually only come in only to shake hands.
The 20th-seeded Osaka ousted last year’s runner-up and 14th seed Madison Keys, saving all 13 break points she faced en route to a 6-2 6-4 victory. When asked how she managed to do that, the quirky 20-year-old responded:
This is going to sound really bad but I was just thinking I really want to play Serena.
Osaka has already beaten her idol Serena and that was actually the only time they’ve played each other — 6-3 6-2 in the first round of the 2018 Miami Open, which was Serena’s second tournament after maternity leave.
Kick Osaka out of the country until she registers as a U.S. citizen and plays under the American flag. She is raised here, learns tennis game here, lives here most of the time, yet plays as a Japanese citizen/player, GTFOOH. That’s bull crap and someone, like the WTA, ought to call her and her Black dad out on that. Enough getting taken advantage of by other countries and ungrateful vagabonds.
Osaka has a Japanese mother and a Haitian father. She is born in Japan where she lived until 3 years of age. So, I figure, she is free to choose which country she wants to play for. A lot of professional players train in different countries for different reasons – which country should they play for? A rude and disrespectful comment, Curry should be blocked.
Naomi’s nonchalant wicked good shots reminds me of the young assassin Gogo in Kill Bill.
Congrats, Naomi Osaka on today’s US Open win! You were the better player and earned the title.
Serena Williams remains the GOAT, despite losing her cool and the shady referee’s unprofessionalism. Naomi remained calm and played beautifully. Despite this, some of her shots and serves were out and weren’t called as such. Also, her citizenship is not important. She is, however, what’s called Blasian and she acknowledged her father, thankfully. There were many proud Haitians wavering their country’s flag in the stand and rooting for Osaka & I believe the Black gentleman in her box is a relative. The commentators should acknowledge she’s not full- blooded Japanese, as anyone with eyes in their head can see. Again, congrats to the new champ! Serena, on to the next tournament, and take heed to your own advice: remain positive and be an example all, especially your adorable daughter who’s coming up after you.
CORRECTION: Haitians waving their flags (not wavering).
Yeah, Danny, Go-Go in “Kill Bill Volume I” is my favorite character in the entire movie; she made that movie great! Naomi’s shots may remind you of the character, but she’s missing Go-Go’s poker/gang face and boldness. Hopefully Naomi will achieve better communication skills as time goes by. She’s very bashful, but does have some great shot-making skills. She didn’t need to be given anything today, because she won it fair and square. Referee needs to be reprimanded by the proper authorities, for sure.