Naomi Osaka overcame a 27-minute demolition in the first set and an early deficit in the second to defeat Victoria Azarenka in the 2020 US Open final, 1-6 6-3 6-3.
The world No.27 Azarenka raced through the opening set and went 2-0 up in the second, looking confident enough to win back-to-back titles at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. After 38 minutes of play, the fourth-seeded Osaka finally earned a break point in the match and converted it to start a steady comeback, winning eight of the next ten games to go from 1-6 0-2 to 1-6 6-3 4-1.
Just as it looked like Azarenka completely lost control of the match, the Belarusian saved four break points in a game that lasted more than eight minutes and then broke Osaka’s serve to keep the battle going. However, Azarenka dropped serve again and Osaka confidently held serve in the following game, sealing the match on her second match point.
This is Osaka’s third Grand Slam title and second at the US Open where she also triumphed in 2018. Azarenka, on the other hand, has lost all the three US Open finals she’s contested.
When it comes to the rankings, Osaka will climb from No.9 to No.3, while Azarenka will rise 13 spots to No.14.
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