Serena Williams vs Naomi Osaka - as it happened: Japanese emerges victorious in heated US Open final

Re-live all the action from Flushing Meadows

Which current players have won the US Open?

Naomi Osaka took on her idol Serena Williams and beat her soundly in this year's US Open women's singles final to claim a first Grand Slam title.

The 20-year-old, who was the first Japanese woman to appear in a Grand Slam final, was barely 12 months old when Williams won her first major title but overcame the legendary Williams in straight sets 6-2 6-4 to win at Flushing Meadows.

Williams, meanwhile, attracted headlines for all the wrong reasons after on-court violations and a row with the umpire.

The 36-year-old had the chance to draw level with Margaret Court's all-time record (24) of Grand Slam titles but fell to the youthful energy and classy all-round play of Osaka.

Here is how it happened:

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What time does it start?

The final gets underway at 4pm local time, which is 9pm BST.

How can I watch it?

You'll have to subscribe to Amazon Prime to watch the final after the internet giant bought exclusive rights to the tournament earlier this year. Alternatively, follow updates from the live blog above!

[8 September 2018 17:45 · Samuel Lovett]

Preview:

[8 September 2018 20:40 · Jack Austin]

Hello and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the women's US Open final in New York as Serena Williams looks to equal Australian Margaret Court's 24 Grand Slam titles.

Naomi Osaka, looking for her first, is the person who stands in her way. 

The action kicks off at 9pm BST but stay with us for all the build up to what promises to be an historic night one way or another at Flushing Meadows. 

[8 September 2018 20:43 · Jack Austin]

Britain's Jamie Murray has already retained his US Open mixed doubles title with Bethanie Mattek-Sands today.

Read Paul Newman's report on a gripping final below...

[8 September 2018 20:55 · Jack Austin]

Wiliiams reached her first Grand Slam final since the birth of her daughter when she lost at the final of Wimbledon earlier this year. Can she go one better tonight?

[8 September 2018 21:05 · Jack Austin]

Not long to go now! 20-year-old Osaka is hoping youth can prevail over experience as she goes up against arguably the greatest of all time in New York. 

Will she feel the nerves? She hasn't so far but this is a completely different kettle of fish...

[8 September 2018 21:08 · Jack Austin]

With light rain falling and the probability of disruption, tournament organisers announced the roof would be closed for the duration of the women's final between Williams and Osaka.

[8 September 2018 21:13 · Jack Austin]

Here we go then! Osaka is the first introduced to the noisy US crowd before Williams makes her entrance!

[8 September 2018 21:14 · Jack Austin]

Serena Williams: "It is fantastic just to have gotten this far so it's really great.

"Naomi plays well, she does everything well. We both want to go out there and win today."

Naomi Osaka: "Of course I feel like I wouldn't be human if I wasn't nervous, so of course I am, but I'm also really excited.

"I have been watching Serena play Grand Slam finals since I was a kid so I'm just really honoured to have this opportunity."

[8 September 2018 21:16 · Jack Austin]

Billie Jean King is assisting with the coin toss in the middle as Osaka is made to wait by Williams.

[8 September 2018 21:19 · Jack Austin]

Six times Serena has been here before and won it. She has already lost to Osaka this year as well, their first ever meeting at Indian Wells. But not many people beat her twice in a row...