"The match was very difficult": how Osaka defeated Azarenka in the US Open final

The US Open Women's Singles Championship ended with the victory of the ninth racket of the world, Naomi Osaka.

In the final match, she defeated Belarusian Victoria Azarenka in three sets with a score of 1: 6, 6: 3, 6: 3.

For the 22-year-old Japanese woman, this is the second title at the US Open since her triumph in 2018.

The coronavirus pandemic has seriously affected the composition of the tournament.

For example, for the first time since 2004, it passed at once without two of the best tennis players in the world - Ashley Barty and Simona Halep.

At the same time, on the way to the decisive battle, both Osaka and Azarenka passed really strong rivals.

So, at the semifinal stage, the 27th number of the WTA rating in 1 hour 55 minutes dealt with Serena Williams, and the final score of the match turned out to be a mirror image of the final.

The Belarusian defeated the famous US representative after ten defeats in a row.

And the Japanese woman was stronger than the unexpectedly shot American Jennifer Brady.

All the feels 🥰 @ naomiosaka is your 2020 #USOpen champion!

pic.twitter.com/su8H5GGhg6

- US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 12, 2020

An unexpected surprise awaited the tennis players before the start of the final.

A few days before the start of the US Open, the video of the famous American singer Mariah Carey was filmed at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Next to Arthur Ash's court, she performed her new song Save the Day.

The organizers decided to show the video before the start of the match.

The first set was surprisingly easy for Azarenka - in just 27 minutes she managed to bring the score to a crushing 6: 1.

During this time, the Belarusian made three breaks, and Osaka made two double mistakes.

But then the situation on the court changed dramatically.

The Japanese managed to significantly improve her game, although the beginning of the second set was unfortunate for her.

Victoria made a break in the second game, but then gave up her serve.

And by the end of the game, she completely fell apart, having already lost two games in her serve in a row.

The victory in the second set inspired Osaka, and she made another break in the deciding set, leading 3-1.

But with the score 4: 2 Azarenka managed to impose a struggle and win back the lost point.

Nevertheless, the very next game on its serve was left to the rival, who had to bring the match to victory - 6: 3, 6: 3.

In total, the fight lasted 1 hour 53 minutes.

The Japanese became the first US Open champion in 26 years to win the trophy after losing the first set.

In 1994, Arante Sanchez-Vicario did the same.

Six aces and five successful break points helped Osaka to win.

She earned $ 3 million in prize money, 2000 points in the WTA rating and seized the lead in face-to-face meetings with Azarenka - 3: 2.

In turn, the Belarusian was defeated in the final of the US Open for the third time in her career.

In 2012 and 2013, she capitulated to Williams Jr.

“I was hoping that for the third time luck would smile at me, but I would have to fight (for the US Open champion title

) again.

I ran out of energy a little.

Times are not easy in the world, so I am grateful for the opportunity to play in front of the millions of fans who watched the matches on their TVs.

Unfortunately, they are not in the stands.

I have enjoyed these two great weeks.

Today I did everything in my power, ”Azarenka stated at the award ceremony.

Osaka paid tribute to the defeated rival, congratulating her on an excellent game.

At the same time, she admitted that she really would not like to play again with the Belarusian in the decisive battle.

According to her, the fight turned out to be incredibly difficult.

“The match was very difficult for me.

But at the same time, I am overwhelmed with excitement because I followed you at the US Open when I was younger.

Even just going to court against you is great.

I learned a lot from you, thank you, ”Osaka concluded.

She became the first tennis player since Jennifer Capriati to win her first three Grand Slam finals.

Previously, the Japanese competed in the US Open 2018 and the 2019 Australian Open.

On Monday, she will rise to third place in the WTA rankings.

On this, her unique achievements do not end with three titles in the majors by the age of 22, according to this indicator, Osaka is second only to the Russian woman Maria Sharapova, who won the first three victories at the Grand Slam tournaments at the age of 20.