US Open 2020, Women's final highlights: Naomi Osaka beats Victoria Azarenka for her third Grand Slam title

Naomi Osaka speaks after the match!

Firstly, I want to congratulate Victoria. I actually don’t want to play you in more finals, I didn’t really enjoy that. It was a tough match for me. It’s really inspiring for me, because I used to watch you playing here. So just have the opportunity to play against you is great. I learnt a lot, so thank you.

I want to thank my team for sticking with me. The beginning of the year wasn’t that great. Thank you for believing in me. I want to thank the WTA, the tournament directors, the organisers, the ball staff, the ground crew and the USTA for providing a safe environment. I want to thank all my people at home, my mum, my dad and my sister. I wouldn’t be here without them.

I was laying down on the court because I always see people sort of collapse after match point. But I always think to myself, they could injure themselves. So I just wanted to do it safely.

For me, I just thought that it would be very embarrassing to lose this in under an hour. I just have to try as hard as I can, I am stop having a bad attitude.

The point of wearing those masks was to get people talking. For me, I’ve been inside the bubble, so I don’t really know what’s going on in the outside world. The more people talk about it the better it is. The most social media, the more retweets – that sounds so lame. You know, just people talking about it.

Victoria Azarenka speaks after the match

Hello everyone. I am going to start by saying that I thought the third time was the charm. I guess I’ll have to try again. Congratulations Naomi, and congratulations to our team. I am very happy for you. I hope we can meet in some more finals again.

Of course, I want to thank the USTA, thank you to all the people who came in at such a difficult time and made this tournament happen. It’s not an easy time in the world right now. But I am very grateful for this opportunity display in front of millions watching from home. It’s really a blessing to be here.

I want to thank my team, for sticking with me, for believing in me. We’re going to have some more fun in the coming weeks. I am looking forward to the journey. It’s been a long road getting here, but this was fun. I hope to see you all soon.

What a win!

🚨 Stat Alert 🚨@naomiosaka is the first #USOpen women’s singles champion to drop the opening set and come back to win the 🏆 since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1994. pic.twitter.com/Agj1Rl4ADw

— wta (@WTA) September 12, 2020

On top of the world

Third set by the numbers!

Game, Set, Match and Championship: Naomi Osaka wins 1-6, 6-3, 6-3!

Osaka hits long, 0-15. She levels the game with a huge forehand winner! A great serve from the Japanese star, she pushes Azarenka wide and the Belarusian can’t make a return. 30-15. Two points between her and the title. Make that one point. Azarenka’s return is long. Championship point. Not just yet, Naomi. Osaka hits a shot long. One more championship point though. First serve missed. Second serve is good. Azarenka has hit the net and Naomi Osaka wins her second US Open championship!

Naomi Osaka* 1-6, 6-3, 5-3 Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Point apiece to start of the game. 15-15. Azarenka’s first serve percentage has fallen drastically this set, she needs to sort that out. Azarenka charges to the net and hits a forehand winner. Osaka does the same. 30-30. Azarenka can’t hit her shot over the net, Osaka has break point! And she breaks after Azarenka hits long. Osaka will serve for the title!

Naomi Osaka 1-6, 6-3, 4-3 *Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

A mistake apiece to make it 15-15. 30-15 now. 40-15 now. Azarenka has been making so many more errors in the last two sets. Azarenka hits a great forehand return down the line. Osaka challenges but it’s right on the line. Another winner on the line from Azarenka and it’s deuce! Great work from the Belarusian.

Stroke of bad luck for Osaka, her shot clips the net and goes out. Advantage Azarenka and break point. Osaka hits a return long and we’re back on serve!

Naomi Osaka* 1-6, 6-3, 4-2 Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Big serve from Azarenka. She’s up 15-0. Azarenka hits long, 15-15. Azarenka hits wide, 15-30. Azarenka hits both long and wide, 15-40. Another couple of break-points for Osaka, she’s bossing this. Big serve from Azarenka though, 30-40. And Osaka can’t clear the net. Deuce.
 

Azarenka hits long. Advantage and break point for Osaka. Osaka can’t land her running forehand in the court, deuce again. She challenges but the shot is wide. Oh my, a wallop of a forehand from Azarenka and she has advantage. She hits long after a rally though, back on deuce. Mistake from Osaka, advantage Azarenka. Osaka backhand winner down the line. Deuce again. Another backhand winner down the line, Osaka has advantage. Big serve and Osaka can’t return. Deuce. Backhand winner from Azarenka. Ace out of nowhere! Azarenka holds

Naomi Osaka 1-6, 6-3, 4-1 *Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Azarenka gets the first point with a winner. Osaka hits a forehand wide and now a stress moment for her. Osaka misses a forehand winner, it flies long! Azarenka has three break points. Osaka saves one with a cross-court forehand. Azarenka gives away the second after hitting long. 30-40. Nail-biting stuff this. Azarenka hits long, it’s deuce! Could this be expensive for the Belarusian?

Advantage Osaka, her power is too much for Azarenka at the moment. Azarenka hits long, and Osaka holds! Osaka is doing to Azarenka what Azarenka did to Serena Williams.

Naomi Osaka* 1-6, 6-3, 3-1 Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Osaka hits wide, 15-0. Azarenka then tries to catch her out with a dropshot, but she hits a forehand winner. First stress moment of the final set for Azarenka as she goes down 15-30. Uh oh. Double fault from Azarenka. 15-40, Osaka has break-point. Two of them. Oh wow, what a way to save a break-point. Azarenka hits a forehand winner from outside the doubles line. And Osaka breaks! Huge break for the Japanese star in the third set.

Naomi Osaka 1-6, 6-3, 2-1 *Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

0-15 to Azarenka. Naomi responds with a huge serve, and hits Azarenka’s lob with power for a forehand winner. Azarenka hits wide, it’s 30-15. Another mistake from Azarenka, 40-15. Big serve and Osaka holds!

Naomi Osaka* 1-6, 6-3, 1-1 Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Osaka can’t get her shot over the net, 15-0. 15-15 after a stretching Victoria Azarenka hits a shot long. Another error from Osaka. 30-15. Osaka hits long and Azarenka shouts ‘Come On!’ This hold will do her a world of good. 40-15. 40-30, Azarenka hits wide. Azarenka holds!!

Naomi Osaka 1-6, 6-3, 1-0 *Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Osaka’s serve gets us underway. Azarenka has the first point, Osaka hits a shot wide. She challenges though. It’s in, 15-0. Azarenka horribly miscues a return on the next point. 30-0. Great backhand winner down the line from Azarenka though. 30-15. Excellent cross-court forehand winner from Osaka, 40-15. Make it double, she holds serve. Azarenka challenges but it’s in.

Second set by the numbers

Second set: Naomi Osaka 6-3

Osaka appears to have the first point after hitting a scorcher. Azarenka challenges though. The shot is long. 15-0. Oh wow, great work from Osaka to get the next point after a long rally. 15-15. 30-15, Osaka fails to make the return from serve. 40-15, Osaka hits one long. This would be a huge hold for Azarenka. Osaka makes it 40-30, cross-court winner. Osaka’s really leaning into those shots and generating incredible power. Azarenka hits wide, it’s deuce.
 

Azarenka hits long, advantage and set point to Osaka. Great work from Azarenka, she approaches the net quickly, Osaka tries to lob it over her, but there’s not enough power on it. Azarenka smashes to make it deuce. Osaka can’t return the next serve, advantage Azarenka. Azarenka hits the net after a long rally and she screams in frustration. We’re back to deuce. This feels like a real turning point in the match. Osaka’s movement is a lot better, but she still can’t reach an Azarenka shot in time and she shanks the shot. Advantage Azarenka. Wow! Osaka hits a wonderful cross court winner that’s ab 86 mph belter! Back to deuce. Azarenka gets lucky with the net again, Osaka is too far behind the baseline to reach it in time. Advantage to the Belarusian  Azarenka can’t get a backhand over the net, back to deuce. Osaka hits an emphatic winner, she has advantage and set point. And she wraps it up with a forehand winner! We go to the third set!

Naomi Osaka 1-6, 5-3 *Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

How will Azarenka respond to this? She responded in the best possible way against Serena, does she have it in her to do it again? Big serve from Osaka, Azarenka can’t clear the net with the return. 15-15 all as Osaka makes an error. Wonderful work from Osaka to push Azarenka wide with the serve and then volley into open court. 30-30, Azarenka hits a forehand into the far reaches of the court, and Osaka opts not to chase. Ace! Or is it? Azarenka challenge. Oh, it’s in by the smallest of margins, that’s practically sub-molecular margins. Osaka wraps up the hold with a backhand winner! Azarenka will serve to stay in it.

Naomi Osaka* 1-6, 4-3 Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

A couple of errors creeping into Victoria Azarenka’s game here. She makes two mistakes in a row and Osaka could break here. Azarenka hits long and Osaka has break-point! Osaka botches a fairly straightforward return, 15-40. Azarenka hits a shot wide and Osaka has the edge in the set!

Naomi Osaka 1-6, 3-3 *Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Great serving from Osaka, she’s up 30-0 in the blink of an eye. Make that 40-0, she’s hit a blistering forehand winner. An ace and she holds to love. She’s flicked a switch in her head, she’s back in this.

Naomi Osaka* 1-6, 2-3 Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Great serve from Azarenka, she’s up 15-0. Osaka challenges it, and she fails. The ball was on the line. Azarenka 30-0 after Osaka hits long. 30-15, Azarenka hits a forehand into the net. She wins the next two point’s with ease to hold serve.

Naomi Osaka 1-6, 2-2 *Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Osaka is striking the ball better than she has this match. She looks a lot more settled after having broken back. She holds serve fairly easily, ending with a big ace.

Naomi Osaka* 1-6, 1-2 Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Azarenka hits long. 0-15 to Osaka. 15-15 after a great serve, but Osaka challenges. Unsuccessful challenge, the serve was in. Another big serve from Azarenka. She’s up 30-15. 30-30 now, Azarenka makes a mistake. She’s serving 89 percent though, how impressive is that? And Azarenka wins a point with a gorgeous backhand winner. Osaka replies with an excellent shot of her own, it’s deuce.
 

Azarenka shanks a forehand and it goes wide. Naomi Osaka has her first break point of the evening! Can she convert? Yes she can, Azarenka hits long! We’re back on serve here

Naomi Osaka 1-6, 0-2 *Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Azarenka gets the first point, but she hits a shot long, and it’s 15-15 now. Azarenka just looks so much quicker than Osaka right now, she’s covering so much ground. Azarenka wins two back-to-back points, one with a winner and one an error from Osaka. First ace from Osaka, it’s 30-40! Azarenka breaks! She’s playing some incredible shots here, Osaka just cannot cope

Naomi Osaka* 1-6, 0-1 Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Azarenka misses the first serve. She’s missed so few, it feels like it’s an important moment. She has the first point after Osaka fires her return into the net. 15-15 now, after Azarenka does the same. Azarenka misses another first serve, maybe her streak is done. Azarenka gets lucky, as her shot clips the net and falls listlessly on Osaka’s side. 30-30 now, can Osaka put any real pressure on Azarenka? Maybe not just yet, Azarenka serves well and Osaka can’t return. Azarenka holds with a forehand winner!

First set by the numbers

First Set: Victoria Azarenka 6-1

0-15 and Azarenka is in the lead in the game. Osaka’s serving to stay in the set. Great winner from Osaka, it’s 15-15. And a big serve that Azarenka can’t return. 30-15 to Osaka. A mistake apiece from either player and it’s 40-30 to Osaka. Osaka rips a 112mph serve, and Azarenka returns it with a winner. Deuce.

Azarenka has advantage and set point in 26 minutes! And she’s won the first set, with an imperious backhand winner!

Naomi Osaka* 1-5 Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Osaka hits a return long again. And again. This is not a good start for the Japanese star. Azarenka, meanwhile, is yet to miss a first serve. She loses the next point, after her shot fails to clear the net. She also takes a bit of a tumble, but she should be fine, nothing serious. Another mistake from Osaka and it’s 40-15. Oh and now Azarenka hits a shot wide. 40-30. Excellent work from Osaka to bring the game to deuce! She really switches up the power in her shots to win the point.

Ah, finally, Azarenka misses a first serve. The ensuing rally is long and has a smattering of good shots, but Azarenka gets advantage after Osaka can’t clear the net. Osaka hits wild and Azarenka holds.

Naomi Osaka continues her incredible work off the court!

Naomi Osaka 1-4 *Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Azarenka is moving so well tonight. Osaka gets the first point of the game after Azarenka hits wide, but the Belarusian then does really well to catch Osaka out with a volley. 30-30 now. Oh no, another double fault already from Osaka. And Azarenka breaks again after Osaka hits long! Osaka looks rattled

Naomi Osaka* 1-3 Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Osaka hits long and Azarenka is up 15-0. And then an Azarenka forehand flies long, it’s 15-15. Oh wow, Azarenka gets the point with a peach of a backhand winner! That placement is just inch-perfect. Azarenka up 40-15, after Osaka fails to chase down a shot. And she holds! These longer rallies are ending with either an Osaka mistake or an Azarenka winner. This time it’s an Azarenka winner.

Naomi Osaka 1-2 *Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

Big serve from Osaka, she gets the first point. Azarenka return well on the next point, and starts controlling a rally. There’s a couple of good shots exchanged, before Osaka fails to clear the net with a backhand. 15-15. 30-15 to Osaka, as Azarenka’s shot lands just the wrong side of the doubles line. 40-15, another error from Osaka. A third straight error and Osaka holds to get on the score board.

Naomi Osaka* 0-2 Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

What a start from Azarenka, she’s already shown that she can deal with Osaka’s massive first serve. Oooh la la, what a shot from Azarenka! She opens up her body and unleashes a venomous forehand winner down the line. A good combination from Azarenka as she pushes Osaka out wide, and forces Osaka into an error. Another great serve from Azarenka, she makes it 40-0. She couldn’t serve to save her life in the first game against Serena. And she holds serve. Osaka error.

Naomi Osaka 0-1 *Victoria Azarenka (* denotes next server)

And we’re underway in the US Open 2020 women’s final! Naomi Osaka gets us underway with the serve, and she lose the first point of the game after an error at the end of a long rally. Osaka makes it 15-15 after hitting a winner beyond the reach of Azarenka, who’s stranded at the net. Azarenka wins the next point after an error. How well will Osaka’s serve do against the Belarusian’s incredible return game. Early signs of nerves from Osaka, as she double faults. Azarenka has two break points. Make that one, Azarenka hits a shot long. Azarenka has broken in the first game!

Naomi Osaka speaks before the match!

It’s definitely something that I am very happy about, the chance to be back here, in New York. I think the occasion is definitely a little different without the fans. But for me, whenever I step out onto the court, I just want to win.

Right now, I am not really sure how having won the title in 2018 will help me out mentally. I guess we’ll find out.

Victoria Azarenka speaks before the match!

I am happy with the fight I have shown every day, my will to progress and to improve. That’s what I’ve been most happy about.

It’s a Grand Slam final, you are going to have to play against some of the best players. She is an amazing player, she’s very powerful. I have to raise my game.

We’re minutes away from the final!

Victoria Azarenka’s path to the final!

Here’s how Osaka and Azarenka’s duels have played out in the past:

Naomi Osaka’s path to the final!