Naomi Osaka grabbed a slice of tennis history on Thursday, beating Madison Keys 6-2, 6-4 in the US Open semi-finals to become the first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam final.
Osaka, a 20-year-old based in Florida who was in the last four of a Major for the first time, will face 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams in the championship match on Saturday.
Williams raced past Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 6-0.
Osaka, 20 and in the last four at a Slam for the first time, admitted she was driven by the idea of facing Williams.
Asked how she managed to save all 13 break points she faced, Osaka said: “I was just thinking I really want to play Serena.”
Asked to elaborate, Osaka seemed stunned.
“Because she’s Serena – what do you mean!” said Osaka, who had already made history along with men’s semi-finalist Kei Nishikori as the first Japanese man and woman to reach the last four at the Slam.
“It still feels really weird because I’ve never beaten Madison before,” she said. “I’m just glad I was able to get through this match.”
Her overriding aim as she served for the match: “Don’t double fault”.
Osaka won her only prior meeting with Williams, in the first round at Miami in March – the American star’s second tournament since giving birth.
With inputs from AFP
